Andrew Hockey, CEO of the ECITB, gave evidence to the influential Energy Security and Net Zero (ESNZ) Select Committee which is looking at how to build the workforce needed to deliver the policies and infrastructure for the UK’s clean, secure energy mission.
Speaking as the authority for skills in the engineering construction industry (ECI), Andrew (pictured) outlined the importance of collaboration, cross-skilling and workforce transferability to the cross-party members. He stressed “engineering construction is vital to meet the country’s net zero goals”.
He drew on data from ECITB labour market intelligence including the 2024 Census and the ECITB Labour Forecasting Tool and explained many of the jobs required for net zero have common transferable skills that just need to be supplemented with specialist knowledge for areas such as for hydrogen and CCUS.
In response to the question on how the government can widen access to green jobs without compromising on quality, he outlined the great opportunities to create a range of entry points into industry from long-term unemployed people (such as those entering the industry via the ECITB’s Work Ready Programme), through to apprenticeships and reskilling workers returning to industry.
The CITB, OEUK and Association of Colleges joined Andrew on Wednesday 26 March to give evidence at the inquiry.
Introducing the ECITB: Andrew Hockey at ESNZ Select CommitteeIn giving evidence to the Energy Security and Net Zero (ESNZ) Select Committee, Chief Executive Andrew Hockey stressed that 'engineering construction is vital to meet the country’s net zero goals'.Introducing the ECITB: Andrew Hockey at ESNZ Select Committee
Collaboration: Andrew Hockey at ESNZ Select CommitteeAndrew Hockey, CEO of the ECITB, cited examples of current initiatives and collaborations that are helping to bridge the skills gaps in industry when giving evidence to the Energy Security and Net Zero (ESNZ) Select Committee.Collaboration: Andrew Hockey at ESNZ Select Committee
Green jobs: Andrew Hockey at ESNZ Select CommitteeECITB Chief Executive Andrew Hockey was asked about green jobs when giving evidence at the influential Energy Security and Net Zero (ESNZ) Select Committee's session on 'workforce planning to deliver clean, secure energy'.Green jobs: Andrew Hockey at ESNZ Select Committee
The ESNZ Select Committee Inquiry (pictured above) into workforce planning to deliver clean, secure energy aims to:
- explore the difficulties in recruiting and retraining the workforce to deliver a clean energy sector and retrofit homes and businesses;
- assess how the new Office for Clean Energy jobs can contribute to workforce planning; and
- gain an understanding of the specific role of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero in delivering clean energy jobs.
