Energy & Utility Skills named first ever ‘Utility Partner of the Year’ at the Utility Week Awards

The judges praised Energy & Utility Skills for being “a true partner to the entire utility sector”

The sector workforce and skills specialist body was honoured at the annual Utility Week Awards ceremony, held on 10 December at Park Lane’s Grosvenor House Hotel. Among the most prestigious dates in the sector’s calendar, representatives from across the industry attended to celebrate the gold standard of achievement for UK utilities.

The Utility Partner of the Year category called for entrants to demonstrate how they have helped sector employers achieve their business goals, added value, and provided quantifiable benefits to partners, customers and other stakeholders.

Recognised from a shortlist of eight sector companies, the judges explicitly recognised Energy & Utility Skills as being “a true partner to the entire utility sector”.

Nick Ellins, Chief Executive of Energy & Utility Skills, said: “My team and my Board set ourselves two clear goals: make excellence the standard within our business, and deliver excellence in the eyes of our sector, through trusted partnerships. We were awarded Investors in People Gold last month, and now feel hugely honoured to be named Utility Partner of the Year 2018.

“Yet again, Utility Week has brought the sector into the spotlight through these amazing awards and shown off the best of the utility people that our economy and 66 million UK citizens rely on every single day. Energy & Utility Skills is more committed than ever to playing its part in ensuring the high standards, sustainability and resilience of this talented workforce.”

The commendation rounds off a year of success for Energy & Utility Skills, including continued support for the Procurement Skills Accord by 56 sector organisations; the Energy & Utilities Independent Assessment Service celebrating 500 apprentices completing end-point assessment (and are now at over 700); a new partnership with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award; and Talent Source Network securing support from 25 leading sector employers as well as recognition from industry regulators.

Winners on the night also included Energy & Utility Skills member companies Anglian Water, Morrison Utility Services, Northumbrian Water, SSE, Thames Water, UK Power Networks, and United Utilities.