Tuesday, December 3, 2024
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Electrification Skills Network to go live next year

More than 30 ‘common set of skills’ will go live on a new interactive platform for the electrification skills sector, which is due to be launched in the new year.

The £800,000 Electrification Skills Network (ESN), which is funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and delivered by Coventry University, is putting the finishing touches to the interactive platform that will help define clear progression routes and support the creation of standardised qualifications for the rapidly emerging industry.

Initially, the 30 common set of skills have been broken down into four key levels, ranging from Introduction and Awareness to Expert. Each one has clearly defined skills required to fulfil a role, and the type of courses or qualifications you will need to pursue a career in them.

Importantly, it could also open areas of expertise where no provision is currently in place, giving education an training providers the opportunity to shape new training offers.

It is hoped the platform will assist in filling the anticipated 100,000 jobs that will be created by 2030, with the initial focus being on battery technologies and power electronics, with charging infrastructure set to follow shortly.

Development work on the website has been accelerated following the latest Framework meeting involving more than 20 firms, training providers, accrediting bodies and education specialists.

The ESN Framework, which is also backed by the Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG), the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre and Enginuity, will feature multiple listings, placed in relation to roles/operation levels within industry and, where appropriate, grouped by sector or specialism.

Martin Buck, Accreditation Lead for the Electrification Skills Network, said:

“The last forum gained insights around the publication of the first 30 ‘common set of skills’ and for a further 20 that will be released quickly after. It’s all systems go with the development of the interactive platform set to be completed in early January.”

“However, this is just the start and the message from ESN is that we actively want more engagement with companies, academia, training providers and individuals who are looking to either start their career or people moving into electrification from previous roles.

“If we are going to be successful and create this single source of truth that adds tremendous value to key stakeholders across the electrification community, then we need to keep having the conversations and tapping into each other’s knowledge and expertise.”

“There is a big piece of work to do on capturing the next generation of workers…young pupils who are making tentative decisions around career steps and jobs.

“How do we evangelise some of the roles we are defining and how do we make them enticing for teenagers or even young children? It’s an interesting thread and one that we’re picking up with the Framework Forum on how we make ESN accessible to different audiences.”

Image courtesy of the Electrification Skills Network

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