The Power to Make a Difference

Walsall College has now become an accredited member of the National Skills Academy for Power. During the National Skills Academy’s recent annual conference, Jackie Pugh, Head of Curriculum Cluster for Digital and Technologies, was presented with an official plaque, officially recognising Walsall College as members.

The National Skills Academy for Power is crucial to delivering the fast changing training and development needs of the Power Sector in the coming years.

The Power Sector, vital to the UK economy, is facing critical skills issues, including an ageing workforce, replacement and growth of electrical infrastructure, rapid advancement of new technologies and strong competition for talent in the marketplace.

National Skills Academies have been initiated by the government to address the need for a world class workforce with better skills than ever before; employer led centres of excellence, delivering the skills required by each sector of the economy.

The National Skills Academy for Power has been created as an essential part of Power Sector operations and will be at the heart of the sector’s future success. It will drive excellence in skills, ensuring connectivity across the sector and with other skills organisations and stakeholders. The Skills Academy will raise the profile of the Power Sector, to maximise the benefits for UK businesses and jobs and to be the global leader in power skills development.

It will also be recognised as a key factor in the maintenance of UK security of power supply and ‘keeping the lights on’ whilst delivering the skills required to address the government’s ‘energy challenge’ and support a low carbon and resource efficient economy.

The mission of the National Skills Academy for Power is, through collaboration, to develop the capacity, capability, quality and consistency of training and education to deliver the skills needs of a sustainable UK Power Sector. In order to achieve this mission it is vital for the Skills Academy to work together with employers and Education and Skills Providers (ESPs) to deliver sustainable solutions.

Jackie Pugh, said: “We are delighted to be recognised as a member of the National Skills Academy for Power. As members, Walsall college will have the opportunity to gain a greater understanding of the long term strategy and immediate needs of employers; provide the industry with relevant services, essential to long term sustainability; and effectively realise training opportunities within the industry”.