EU Energy Council recognizes importance of investment in skills and jobs

(4 June 2010, Brussels) The recent Council of Ministers for energy adopted conclusions on the EU Energy strategy 2011-2020. In its conclusions the Council argues that any future development of “European energy policy should (…), from its design stage, consider the regulatory, and the financial aspects as well as the human and physical investment required for its implementation”.

EPSU welcomes this recognition. Lack of skilled and qualified staff are increasingly recognized by electricity and gas unions and employers as a constraint on the development of the energy sector given the many challenges facing it: upgrading existing infrastructure, new technologies (smart grids e.g), renewables and other capacity, interconnections etc.

EPSU has been arguing for more attention and action for this problem for several years.

Council conclusions available at:

http://www.consilium.europa.eu