Energy Sector Insights
from Astute People

“I believe the biggest issue facing the industry is the skills shortage, in terms of trades Mechanical, Electrical, C&I etc. It’s almost cliché at this point to say it, but there are not enough of the skilled people required to maintain these plants on a day-to-day basis or during outages. I am optimistic that the tide will turn, and it will become attractive enough to draw people back into…”

“There has always been a high demand for those who have a blend of trades experience and ability combined with a knowledge and understanding of engineering principles, as they are the people best equipped to deal with the multi-faceted issues encountered on construction sites.”

“Skills and resource availability remain the biggest constraints. Certification schemes like ADCS are helping standardise operations, alongside growing investment in CPD and internal training. Retention is improving, but movement between employers remains common as skilled operators remain in demand.”

“The power industry has undergone significant change, with a transition away from fossil fuels towards increasingly more renewable power generation. This has created many opportunities for employment in renewables development, operation and maintenance. At the same time, we continue to be reliant upon more traditional generation via gas and nuclear and these stations also provide some great…”

“From a young age, girls are given dolls while boys are given trains and building toys. That shapes perceptions. We need to introduce engineering concepts earlier – through robotics, coding, hands-on projects, and competitions. Curricula should include stories and achievements of female engineers, and our educational materials should reflect diversity by showing women in active, leading roles.”

“The power sector was instrumental in shaping my career. In an industry that values tenure and deep technical expertise, I had to learn how to position myself differently. Instead of competing on experience, I honed my skills as an outsider, bringing a fresh perspective and asking the right questions. Over time, I built enough engineering acumen to bridge technical knowledge with strategic…”

“I believe the biggest issue facing the industry is the skills shortage, in terms of trades Mechanical, Electrical, C&I etc. It’s almost cliché at this point to say it, but there are not enough of the skilled people required to maintain these plants on a day-to-day basis or during outages. I am optimistic that the tide will turn, and it will become attractive enough to draw people back into…”

“There has always been a high demand for those who have a blend of trades experience and ability combined with a knowledge and understanding of engineering principles, as they are the people best equipped to deal with the multi-faceted issues encountered on construction sites.”

“Skills and resource availability remain the biggest constraints. Certification schemes like ADCS are helping standardise operations, alongside growing investment in CPD and internal training. Retention is improving, but movement between employers remains common as skilled operators remain in demand.”

“The power industry has undergone significant change, with a transition away from fossil fuels towards increasingly more renewable power generation. This has created many opportunities for employment in renewables development, operation and maintenance. At the same time, we continue to be reliant upon more traditional generation via gas and nuclear and these stations also provide some great…”

“From a young age, girls are given dolls while boys are given trains and building toys. That shapes perceptions. We need to introduce engineering concepts earlier – through robotics, coding, hands-on projects, and competitions. Curricula should include stories and achievements of female engineers, and our educational materials should reflect diversity by showing women in active, leading roles.”

“The power sector was instrumental in shaping my career. In an industry that values tenure and deep technical expertise, I had to learn how to position myself differently. Instead of competing on experience, I honed my skills as an outsider, bringing a fresh perspective and asking the right questions. Over time, I built enough engineering acumen to bridge technical knowledge with strategic…”