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UTILITY WEEK | 13TH - 19TH NOVEMBER 2015 | 21 these miniscule lifeforms in a way that voices the splendour and magnifi- cence of their existence, and promotes the conservation of ecosystems and biodiversity. If you have an asset or project you would like to see featured when we return the High Viz slot to its original focus, please send your pictures and details of the project to: paul.newton@fav-house.com or call 01342 332085 Pipe up Kate Davies A s a sector there has never been a more challeng- ing time to ensure we are prepared to support the growth of the UK economy and its infrastructure. Having a skilled workforce in place to support this growth is key. This has been recognised by the govern- ment through the recent publication of the National Infrastructure Plan for Skills, ensuring we have the "right people with the right skills in place to build and maintain our first-class infrastructure". We are in a posi- tion to support this work and the opportunities it brings for our sector, and see continued collaboration as the best way to do so. Over the past 18 months, EU Skills has supported pioneering, cross-sector collaboration via the Energy & Efficiency Industrial Partnership (EEIP), the first of its kind in our sector. The EEIP has achieved notable results as influential sector leaders joined together to make a tangible difference to attracting, developing and retaining talent. We launched Talent Source Network – an innovative tool designed for the energy and utilities sector to attract, recruit and refer talent. At its heart lies a powerful social network where employers, partners, employees and future sector talent come together. For the first time, those interested in our sector can access informa- tion on the opportunities available and benefit from privileged access to employ- ers and training, all in one place. Employers can also engage directly with interested candidates. Collaborative working through the EEIP has also secured more trailblazer apprentice starts in the energy and utilities sector than the total for all sectors in 2014/15 – a great achievement. We have worked with key sector partners to deploy youth employment pro- grammes across the country – engaging young people in sector work programmes, providing real work experi- ence opportunities and drawing talent into the sector. The challenge is ensuring this level of collaboration continues, and as the UK authority on skills development and employment in our sector, we are in a strong posi- tion to ensure this happens. With growing competition for talent from other sectors, we need to pull together to continue to raise our sector profile, attract new talent and develop the talent we have. Kate Davies, chief operating officer, Energy & Utility Skills Group (EU Skills) "We need to pull together to continue to raise our sector profile, attract new talent and develop the talent we have." "We launched Talent Source Network, an innovative tool to attract, recruit and refer talent" Operations & Assets