Electric Utilities Sector Supplement - Global Reporting Initiative

Electric Utility Sector Supplement
EU14: Programs and processes to ensure
the availability of a skilled workforce.
1. Relevance
The operation of electrical utilities relies on large
numbers of highly skilled workers. These workers are
called upon to perform highly technical tasks which
require specialized skills, and mental and physical
readiness. Maintaining a highly skilled workforce is
essential to the sustainability and reliability of the utility’s
services upon which societies depend, and to ensure the
safety of the workforce, equipment and operations, and
the community. Often, the training (both formal and
on-the-job) required to perform these jobs take years
to acquire, therefore staff vacancies cannot be quickly or
easily filled.
Key issues include workforce retention, renewal and
expansion. This is particularly important because of the
global shortage and uneven demographic (including
an aging of workforce) and geographic distribution of
skills. Indeed in some cases, well-trained workers from
less developed countries are often attracted to more
industrialised countries to the detriment of their country
of origin.
Diversity is a key aspect of providing a skilled workforce
as it widens the pool of potential talent available to
electric utilities.
Indicator Protocols Set: LA
• Programs to attract and retain employees
and include a reference to diversity including
gender and race.
3. Definitions
None.
4. Documentation
This information can be obtained from Human Resources
department.
5. References
None.
EU
IP
&
EUSS
EU
2. Compilation
2.1 Report programs and processes including:
• Program to assess skills needed in the
workforce;
• Training programmes including apprenticeship
programs for new workers and specialised
training on existing and new technologies for
existing workers;
• Ongoing higher education for qualified
technical workers, for example electrical and
mechanical engineers;
• Training partnerships between utility and
technical institutions to develop capacity;
• The development of local employees when a
utility is operating outside its national borders;
• Programs to source workers from beyond
national boundaries and country of origin
recruitment policies and consideration of
impact to the home country; and
Version 3.0/EUSS Final Version
5