WET News

OCTOBER 2017 WET NEWS 3 H igher project costs, delays, and sti ed innovation could be on the cards if the energy and utilities sector fails to secure the skilled workforce required to deliver infrastructure schemes, the Energy & Utilities Skills Partnership has warned. The warning comes as the partnership, a collective of 29 leading sector employers including water companies and contractors, calls for the value of a resilient and sustainable UK workforce to be better under- stood and recognised. The partnership has pub- lished a White Paper – Is enough value placed on human capital to deliver vital infrastructure? – which warns there is "no clear strategy" in the National Infrastructure Plan for Skills for electricity, gas, water and sewage, and waste to enable the successful delivery of the NIDP. The paper examines whether enough value is placed on the human capital needed to deliver vital infrastructure. It was written by Energy & Utility Skills and SSE, working on behalf of the partnership. SSE invested in Failure to secure skilled workforce could mean higher costs a 'human capital' report which measures the economic value of the skills and capabilities of the people it employs, leading the way in the UK. The total economic value of SSE's human capital is estimated at £3.4bn (as at April 1, 2014), equating to an average human capital per head of £173,000. John Stewart, HR director at SSE, said: "The White Paper demonstrates that both a company and society bene› ts from proper investment in its workforce through increased earnings for individuals and resulting increased tax payments. People, and the skills those people have, are the key to turning investment in infrastructure into energy, clean water and a better environment." Nick Ellins, chief executive of Energy & Utility Skills, said: "The Energy & Utilities Skills Partnership recently published the sector's › rst Workforce Renewal and Strategy, showing that collective action is needed to secure the talent the sector needs. As a whole, the sector is the largest single contributor to the National Infrastructure œ Skills White Paper emphasises there is 'no clear strategy' in NIP for utilities to deliver schemes. Delivery Plan and plays an essential role in narrowing the productivity gap between the UK and our international competitors. "Failure to secure the skilled workforce required to deliver such infrastructure projects could lead to higher project costs, delays, reduced quality, reliance on overseas skills, loss of intellectual property, sti ed innovation and damage to the UK economy and its global competitiveness. The White Paper highlights that people are a critical asset that needs to be quanti› ed and that the value of a resilient and sustainable workforce needs to be recognised." Macquarie le¡ Thames Water with extra £2bn of debt, BBC R4 programme reveals. T hames Water has used an innovative solution involving a oating crane as part of a project to renovate a reservoir in Surrey. The banks of Island Barn reservoir, West Moseley, are being reinforced with metal sheets to stop water seeping through. However, instead of draining the reservoir, the project team has oated equipment on specially made pontoons on its surface so it can continue to store water and provide amenity to local users, which include a sailing club. Thames Water's site Floating crane keeps water flowing construction manager, Amit Chakraborti, said: "Floating a heavy crane on top of the water in this way is certainly a di¤ erent approach but we're constantly looking into new and innovative ways of working to limit disruption and keep costs down." Filthy stewardship of a UK public utility. Much more robust regulation is in order! @EdwardGCarp Another #bank bail out at expense of @thameswater customers @JKBartsHeart For 10 years @Macquarie has overcharged 14m @ thameswater customers, made stonking pro' ts but washes it's hands of Thames super-sewer costs @tann1812 WET News is registered at Stationers' Hall. Origination by Faversham House and TR Clash Ltd. Printed by Buxton Press, Palace Road, Buxton, Derbyshire, SK17 6AE. Copyright 2017. Faversham House. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written permission from the publishers. Every e˜ ort is made to ensure the accuracy of material published in WET News. 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If we are unable to resolve your complaint, or if you would like more information about IPSO or the Editors' Code, contact IPSO on 0300 123 2220 or visit www.ipso.co.uk Average circulation Jan-Dec 2016: 6,110 Celebrating achievement at the water event of the year 7 hours of networking and face-to-face access Align your brand with excellence and success Generate high value leads and new contacts Keep your brand story front and central as the industry celebrates To discover the brand-new 2018 award categories plus the cost-effective sponsorship opportunities, please contact: Simon Apps, Business Development Manager, Water Awards 2018 T 01342 332018 M 07776 202338 E simonapps@fav-house.com 21 May 2018, The Vox Conference Centre, Birmingham Supported by WET News Magazine I WWT Magazine I Utility Week I edie Live 2018 I Utility Week Live 2018 WIAA-star-285x405ad.indd 1 15/09/2017 10:36 How #banksters milk money from public utilities which should have been used for infrastructure spending: @A11_Seeing_Eye So angry listening to #BBCradio4 #MichaelRobinson revealing details of #Macquarie ripo˜ #ThamesWater, now they ripping Caden Gas supply. @Lyndalu2 REALITY CHECK œ For every £1 SSE invests in apprentices there is a £4.29 economic return on that investment, and for technical trainees it is £7.65 œ The energy and utilities sector provides essential services daily to 65 million consumers and businesses œ The electricity, gas, water and sewage, and waste management sectors are accountable for delivering 56% of the half-a-trillion-pound NIDP

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