Utilities/Energy

Sector overview

The energy and utilities sector has changed dramatically over the last two decades, with the forces of privatisation, domestic and EU legislation, climate change and the Low Carbon agenda converging to transform the industry. What has emerged is a raft of new technologies for the generation of energy, and a drive away from land-fill into recycling and re-use of waste-based energy.

Regardless of any legislative enforcement, including a new EU directive which imposes a compulsory target of 15% of Britain’s total energy mix from renewable sources by 2020, there is a rising consumer sentiment that is driving the industry to adopt a Lower Carbon agenda.

The UK government is supporting the green agenda. The Spending Review announced that there will be funding for the development of one of the world’s first commercial-scale carbon capture facilities on an electricity generation plant. And it’ll be backing the development of low carbon technologies including offshore wind technology and manufacturing at port sites, and the launch of a UK-wide Green Investment Bank.

Behind the industry, in both its old and new guises, is a continuing skills shortage. Change requires innovation and investment to integrate new technologies and to keep pace with infrastructure requirements. The scale and pace of skills development required across the half a million plus workforce in the utilities and energy sectors will be unprecedented.

Over 15% of employers continually report skills gaps. These are most acute in the waste management sector. With a whole generation of highly skilled people now heading for retirement, and increasing global competition for the talent which is available, the industry is aware that there’s a collective need to address the issue.

The economic crisis has undoubtedly delayed investment. When the upturn arrives, the skills shortage could well make it hard for the industries to develop at the speed which the changes in the industry, legislation, and public demand require.

Sector experience

Randstad Interim Executives have a track record of providing interim managers into Utility sector since 1999. Clients include Thames Water, EDF Energy, Npower, and Balfour Beatty with national and international assignments

Randstad’ Interim Executives’ Utilities/Energy assignments

• Interim Head of Head of Customer Services
• Interim Head of Contact Centre
• Interim Head of Telesales
• Interim Finance Director
• Interim Supply Chain Director
• Interim Resource Planner
• Interim Head of HR
• Interim Programme Manager
• Interim Commercial Director