Industry | Power
Power Skills Scheme
The Power Skills Scheme for power networks craftspersons is underpinned by over 80 industry-agreed skills standards, established to help provide a common approach to competency across the UK's Electricity Supply Industry.
Find a ProviderWhat is the Power Skills Scheme?
Designed to establish good practice across distribution network operators (DNOs) and transmission operators (TOs), the scheme sets common standards for the training and assessment of core skills, reducing the need to duplicate training as individuals move between sites or employers.
The Power Skills Scheme covers core technical competencies, which are transferrable between DNOs and TOs, and includes ongoing quality assurance from Energy & Utility Skills. While each DNO still needs to grant separate authorisations for each individual, the core craft competencies won’t need to be retested, reducing training time and duplication of effort.
There are four routes to registration: Trailblazer Apprenticeship (L3 Power Network Craftsperson), an approved programme (training & assessment), assessment only, and grandfather rights (open until the end of September 2021, this will reduce the need to re-train or re-assess experienced competent craftspersons in the short term).
How does the Power Skills Scheme benefit the power industry?
- Raises standards in training
- Provides a common assessment standard
- Saves cost through the reduction of duplicate training
- Saves time – for both the individual and the employer
- Establishes a truly flexible workforce that can move easily around the industry
The National Skills Academy for Power has worked with the following organisations to ensure the Power Skills Scheme was developed by the industry, for the industry:
How does the Power Skills Scheme benefit contractors?
As a contractor, the Power Skills Scheme allows you to demonstrate your commitment to:
- High standards of technical competence and safety
- High-quality training and assessment
- Staff development
- Industry collaboration
You can use the Power Skills Scheme to:
- Ensure your workforce is consistently competent and safe
- Provide flexibility – your workforce can be more responsive (for example in storm situations or when they have to move between contracts)
- Enhance your reputation as a business that collaborates across the industry to address challenges and find innovative solutions
- Maximise efficiency – there is no wasted time or irrelevant content because training is specific to the UK’s Electricity Supply Industry (ESI)
- Ensure your business is aligned with ESI industry best practice
- Reduce your requirement for trade testing craft skills – saving your business time and money
- Record your workforce’s competence on the Energy & Utility Skills Register (EUSR) of training for the energy and utilities sector
CITB Short Course 
Energy & Utility Skills is a recognised Third Party Organisation (TPO) for CITB and the UK construction industry. This scheme is recognised by CITB for short course duration funding purposes and can be offered by ATOs. To find out more about CITB short course duration grants, click here.
Standards and training units
The Power Skills Scheme is aligned to the Power Network Craftsperson’s apprenticeship standard which comprises four distinct groups of standards and training units:
- Group A – Foundation. Pre-requisites for introduction to the power sector.
- Group B – Generic Technical. Generic technical learning and skills.
- Group C – Overhead Lines / Cables / Substations. Detailed technical knowledge and skills across the three power network craftsperson areas.
- Group D – Advanced Technical. More complex power sector learning and skills development.
The full list of schemes and training programmes in each group can be viewed here.
Delivering the Power Skills Scheme (Webinar)
Watch the live recording of our webinar on Delivering the Power Skills Scheme below.
Find Out More
If you would like to find out more about the requirements of the scheme, then please see the scheme overview and technical specification documents. If you would like to deliver this scheme, please see our guidance for Getting Approved.
To download the ICP Power Skills Scheme flyer click here.
If you have any queries relating to EUSR or the evidence requirements for any of our schemes or programmes, please contact the EUSR Support team. We are available Monday – Friday, 8.00am – 5.00pm via email eusr@euskills.co.uk or tel: 0121 745 1310.
Find a Provider
You can find a provider of this scheme here.
