A new report has claimed the UK’s net zero ambitions are being hindered by an acute skills shortage that hampers the design, development, supply, installation, inspection, and maintenance of legacy, current, new, and innovative systems.
This was the conclusion of Energy Systems Catapult’s (ESC) new report commissioned by Actuate UK, the engineering services alliance.
ESC interviewed and surveyed professionals from across the built environment sector over the last year.
The report reveals a ‘worrying’ picture of skills shortages, lack of awareness and the need for a cultural shift.
73% of survey respondents felt that the sector, as it is now, will not be able to deliver quality net zero buildings at scale. 68% of respondents did not feel it was easy for their company or organisation to find people with the right skills, while 63% did not expect that it would be easy to find staff with the right skills in five years’ time.
Additionally, 73% respondents said they felt that cost and time to deliver take priority over quality.
There was no clear consensus among respondents about who should drive change. The biggest divergence in view was for government involvement – some felt strongly that government should not drive change, feeling instead that net zero targets needed to be depoliticised. By contrast, 80% expected involvement of industry bodies, contractors and subcontractors and clients and these opinions were evenly distributed.
The report also examined the context and opportunities related to net zero skills issues and has suggested a three-part framework to address these challenges: Awareness, Action, and Advantage.
Helen Yeulet, director of training and skills of Building Engineering Services Association (BESA), who also leads the Actuate UK skills group, said, “The report shows that we are at a tipping point for the industry’s skills capacity. There is a clear consensus that the industry needs to drive cultural change with government providing supportive incentives.
“We want to work with our partners in Actuate UK and beyond to define the industry’s skills needs and training solutions which will be ensure the industry can achieve readiness for delivering on our net zero targets.”
Andrew Eldred, director of workforce and public affairs at ECA, and deputy chair of the Actuate UK Skills group, added, “High quality training standards and delivery at scale are essential for the UK’s successful transition to net zero. The report confirms that we need a concentrated strategy to recruit and upskill thousands of engineering services workers to meet these standards.”
Rob Hargraves, retrofit skills advisor at Energy Systems Catapult, commented, “If we think of the scale that is required to meet government installation targets, then we desperately need a lot more engineers and a lot more people working in retrofit in general, but also greater focus on defining and delivering against net zero outcomes for new buildings too. Getting to net zero requires a wholesale change in thinking on skills. It will require us to take a holistic approach. Making sure the skills are there. Making sure the standards are enforced and upheld. Making sure there is an informed customer base.”
