The ECA has been highlighted in a new Welsh Government Net Zero Skills Action Plan designed to create a stronger, fairer, greener Wales.
The plan commits Wales to a just transition away from a fossil-fuelled economy, with skills playing a central role. It features ECA’s Leading the Charge initiative, which showcased the low-carbon engineering services work of Welsh ECA Member EFT Consult.
According to the ECA, its members are at the forefront of the electrification of transport, of heat and the whole of the built economy. The organisation works closely with its members, industry partners and the Government to improve skills provision and standards in the electrotechnical sector, with a special focus on ‘green skills’ that will enable the transition to net zero carbon by 2050.
Jeremy Parkin, Director of Welsh ECA Member firm Powerlink Electrical Services, noted, “ECA members and the electricians and apprentices whom we employ are absolutely essential to a successful green transition for Wales. We welcome the Welsh Government’s recognition of this fact in their excellent Net Zero Skills Action Plan, and look forward to ever closer collaboration between Government, the education sector and ourselves to help make Wales’s green, electrified future a reality.”
Chris Jenkins, Director of Welsh ECA Member firm EFT Consult, added, “Any companies that are considering investing in training and technology, I’d say go for it. Net zero and the demand for electrification is not something that’s going to go away. It’s only going to grow. Make the commitment and I believe it’ll pay off.”
Vaughan Gething MS, Welsh Minister for Economy, said in his foreword to the report, “Skills will be a key enabler as we transition to a net zero economy. Everyone needs to take responsibility and play their part in taking action to improve practices, investing in people and communities to innovate and build a more resilient economy.
“This is just the start of this process and the Government cannot tackle the challenge alone. A Team Wales approach is the only way we can drive forward these changes and meet our net zero commitments. The Programme for Government made clear our focus on driving a stronger, more competitive Welsh economy by narrowing the skills divide and tackling inequality ‒ to boost good jobs and lift people out of poverty.”
The Welsh Government Net Zero Skills Action Plan prioritises 7 key areas of action:
- Gain an understanding of the current skills position for each emission sector
- Build a shared understanding of net zero skills across Wales
- Grow a skills workforce to meet Wales’s net zero commitments
- Strengthen the skills system
- Promote opportunities for early years and young people to realise their potential
- Cross-government and partnership approach to meet the skills commitment
- A just transition
