Investment in energy workforce must follow this £24bn investment in the network

Prospect welcomes Ofgem’s approval of an initial £24bn investment to maintain critical gas networks and upgrade the electricity grid but adds that investment is needed just as much in the energy workforce.

Sue Ferns, Senior Deputy General Secretary of Prospect, said:

“Substantial investment in our energy networks is vital as we move towards a Net Zero future. However, as these investment programmes get underway, we must ensure that network companies properly invest in their biggest resource: the workforce.

“Headcounts have been squeezed in the name of ‘efficiency’ over recent years, but demands on the remaining workforce have increased to unreasonable and often dangerous levels, with long hours and fatigue rife within the sector.

“For as long as the existing workforce is taken for granted, delivering business-as-usual services will remain a challenge and these ambitious investment plans will remain a pipedream. If we are to successfully decarbonise, we must value the workers that we are relying on to deliver it.”

More information on Ofgem’s investment approval can be found here.