Leading Edge was commissioned by a UK membership organisation representing skilled trades across the energy and utilities sectors. Its members include major infrastructure companies and their delivery partners. The goal was to better understand the skilled roles performed on-site, assess the prevalence of competitor skill card schemes, and evaluate the level of health and safety training across the industry.
Objectives: Mapping Skilled Trades, Training Gaps, and Competitor Schemes
The organisation sought to:
- Identify the range of skilled trades operating across key sectors including gas, power, water, waste, telecoms, and renewables.
- Determine the extent to which competitor card schemes covered these trades.
- Evaluate whether professionals had the necessary health and safety training and assessments in place.
- Support strategic planning around workforce development, industry standards, and recruitment challenges.
Methodology: Interviews and Desk Research to Build a Skills Landscape
To meet these objectives, Leading Edge used a dual research approach:
- 35 structured telephone interviews with stakeholders from across the energy and utilities ecosystem — including training providers, contractors, and sector representatives.
- Extensive desk research to analyse card schemes, training provision, and recognised trade classifications.
The research examined not just what roles existed, but how they were defined and recognised across various schemes. It also identified skill overlaps across sectors and assessed training infrastructure readiness to meet future demand.
Results: Insight into Workforce Capacity and Strategic Priorities
The research revealed:
- Significant skills gaps in several trades critical to future infrastructure delivery.
- Clear overlap in skilled roles between sectors, suggesting potential efficiencies in cross-sector training and qualification recognition.
- Insights into how competitor card schemes were positioning themselves — and where the client could differentiate or strengthen its own offer.
- A wide disparity in access to health & safety training, with inconsistencies across trades and regions.
Strategic Impact: Supporting Sector Growth and Workforce Investment
The findings enabled the client to:
- Advocate for targeted investment in training and certification aligned with industry needs.
- Strengthen their support to members by identifying emerging career pathways and qualification requirements.
- Inform policy discussions around workforce planning and regulation.
- Position their skill card scheme as a clearer route to career progression within energy and utilities trades.
Why This Matters for Infrastructure and Utilities Workforce Planning
As the UK transitions toward greener infrastructure and renewables, the need for a skilled and certified workforce is critical. This case study demonstrates how evidence-based research can guide workforce strategy, improve training provision, and support sustainable sector growth — all while ensuring health, safety, and competency remain at the core of operational standards.
