A unique 12 month collaboration between industry, Cogent; ECITB; Energy and Utility Skills; SEMTA; the DTI, Norfolk LSC and EEEGR, shows the steps needed to build the skills base for profitable and sustainable energy production in the East of England for the next decade and beyond, and the potential to export skills well into the future.

The East of England Skills for Energy Research Report puts together for the first time, an accurate and coherent picture of the skills gaps and shortages and future development needs facing the energy industries in the East of England. This takes account of recent changes in the sector, including the sale of assets by major oil companies to new operators; decommissioning programmes for offshore oil and gas and nuclear sites, and the development of renewables.

Long-term solutions for global competitiveness:

The four Sector Skills Councils interviewed 42 employers in the energy sector and commissioned IFF Research Ltd to analyse the information collected.The report strengthens the view that long-term solutions are needed to sustain the energy sector, and ensure the region remains competitive in a global market place.

Whilst the region is rich in natural resources, it has an ageing workforce and has experienced difficulties attracting new entrants to what has recently been perceived as a declining “twilight” industry.

Attraction and retention of employers and employees:

“In reality, “says Cogent’s Liz Johnson,” there are a broad range of career and development opportunities that could and should be attracting new recruits, and, there is a profitable future for employers whom we need to retain in, and attract to the region.

” Private-public partnership for maximum influence and impact: “This report clearly shows that we need to energise an influential private- public partnership that can define and present the energy sector in the East of England as an attractive option with a future.”

Report welcomed by Government:

The DTI have welcomed the report as a successful demonstration of four Sector Skills Councils, key stakeholders and industry working together to identify the strengths and areas for development for the energy industry.

Energy sector crucial to East of England:

John Brierley of Norfolk’s Learning and Skills Council, said the LSC supported the research because “the energy sector will be of critical importance to the East of England in the 21^st century”. The region hosts extensive energy assets, such as offshore production in the Southern North Sea; the Bacton Gas Terminal; nuclear energy production at Sizewell; existing onshore and offshore wind energy production, plus planned developments in grown fuel.

Global markets and global potential:

“The energy industry operates in a global market” said Mr Brierley, “ with the potential to continue to provide good quality employment with well paid jobs. But it is essential that it recruits and develops people with the right skills and competences to meet its needs.”

There is an urgent need for clear and accurate information to help employers to plan, and to guide people considering energy sector careers and to inform the agencies working to assist them. “

Half empty or half full? Optimism over North Sea oil and gas

Further optimism about the region’s energy sector was expressed in the foreword to the report by Mike Salter, Chief Operating Officer of the Abbot Group and a member of PILOT, (the government-industry scheme that promotes the long term health of the UK continental shelf- UKS).

Mr Salter said that “as companies seek to keep the UKS competitive and maximise the economic recovery of its remaining reserves and slow down production decline, a competent and creative workforce will be critical to carry the North Sea forward safely and effectively into the next stages of its development. “ He added, that “whilst the North Sea basis is now mature, only half of the UK’s known oil and gas resources have been produced.”

“ This report demonstrate that the East of England is well placed to play an important part in the continuing development of offshore oil and gas production as well as in other energy sector businesses.”

Industry must lead on action.

John Best, Chief Executive of the East of England Energy Group, (EEEGR) said, “ This report gives us clear goals.

"Our task is to turn recommendation into action through a collaborative approach, with industry taking a leading role with both regional and national partners”.

The report will be launched at a breakfast and workshop event for employers at the Imperial Hotel in Gt Yarmouth on 23 February.

The full  East of England Skills for Energy Research Report is available on the Cogent website, and a summary will be available soon.