Power industry faces skills gap
UNITED KINGDOM - The UK power industry needs to train twice as many people if it is to meet demand for 65,000 new workers by 2024.
With four out of five employees set to retire over the next 15 years, there are serious questions about Britain's ability to keep the lights on, the National Skills Academy for Power NSAP is warning. The engineering and construction industries alone will need between 17,000 and 35,000 skilled staff.
"The extent and size of this skills gap raises serious questions about the capability of the UK power sector to be able to maintain supply over the coming years," Steve Davies, the chief executive of the NSAP, said.
"This may seem like a dramatic statement but coupled with the drive for cleaner power, increasing demand and pressures to seek out more renewable energy sources, it is clear that the workforce in this sector needs significant investment if UK plc is to have the power it requires into the future," he said.
Related News
Salmon and electricity at center of Columbia River treaty negotiations
VANCOUVER - With talks underway between Canada and the U.S. on the future of the Columbia River Treaty, the B.C. New Democrats have launched public consultations in the region most affected by the high-stakes negotiation.
“We want to ensure Columbia basin communities are consulted, kept informed and have their voices heard,” said provincial cabinet minister Katrine Conroy via a press release announcing meetings this month in Castlegar, Golden, Revelstoke, Nakusp, Nelson and other communities.
As well as having cabinet responsibility for the talks, Conroy’s Kootenay West riding includes several places that were inundated under the terms of the 1964 flood control and…
