The road to net zero won’t just be paved by companies generating sustainable energy, but by those of us building, connecting and maintaining the infrastructure needed to support customers. The entire energy industry – including all of us represented by the Energy Networks Association (ENA) – has a vital role to play in the clean energy revolution.
We also have a critical role in building the clean energy workforce of tomorrow. It’s predicted that over 400,000 recruits are needed between now and 2050 to achieve net zero, covering a diverse array of skillsets, whilst being representative of a culturally inclusive UK.
However, the energy sector continues to face intense scrutiny around its apparent slow adoption of diversity, equity and inclusivity practices; but we believe that this is reflective of the length of the journey we face, rather than a lack of pace. The Energy & Utility Skills’ Inclusion
Measurement Framework reported that in 2022, women only made up 26% of the industry’s workforce, whilst ethnic minorities made up just 7.5%, and there was still “significant underrepresentation” of disabled people working across utilities. This could be owed to an aging workforce with niche skillsets that can’t be easily replaced. But as we speak, there’s a wealth of activity going on, with many of us making significant steps in building a more inclusive workplace, where everyone can be themselves and thrive.
The ENA is taking a business-led approach in refreshing the DEI strategy for networks. Lawrence Slade CEO ENA has secured Cordi O’Hara, President of National Grid Electricity Distribution and Mark Wild, CEO SGN as Sponsors to elevate the focus and progress within
the network sector this year.
A DEI SteerCo has been initiated with a number of network companies acting on behalf of the sector – including National Grid, UKPN, SPEN, SSE, SGN and Cadent.
Managing Director at SSEN Distribution, Chris Burchell put it best:
“Energy is a sector with a huge social and economic responsibility and a great opportunity ahead when considering the net zero transition. To make the most of this, we need the widest range of skills, experience and thinking as we grow, providing fantastic skills and careers for the next generation. As a convenor of several energy networks, the ENA plays a central role in catalysing our collective efforts and commitments.”
As such, we have collated success stories from across the industry, from those striving to make a real difference in their approach to diversity, equity and inclusion. Each of these case studies acts as an example of how businesses are building the future energy workforce of tomorrow, ensuring nobody gets left behind. And this is just the first step in convening the sector, where progress perhaps hasn’t been celebrated the way it should have been. There is so much more to learn from each other and we can’t wait to see further progress as we look to the year ahead.
A massive thank you to those of you who have willingly shared your DEI stories, and to all of you who work tirelessly each and every day to make our sector more welcoming and inclusive.
The ENA DEI SteerCo
Cordi, Mark, Lawrence, Chris, Lisa, Raj, Jen and Liz
What to celebrate
How we're doing
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