NATIONAL SKILLS ACADEMY
231. The National Skills Academy is a network of
employer-led centres of excellence. Each centre aims to deliver
the skills required by the corresponding sector of the community.
There are currently centres for six sectors of the economy (construction,
nuclear, fashion retail, financial services, food and drink manufacturing
and manufacturing), with three further centres are about to launch
(process industries, creative and cultural and hospitality).
232. We received a cross-section of views as to the
potential value of a National Academy for the renewable energy
industry. For example, the South East of England Development Agency
advocated that consideration be given to a National Academy for
Environmental Technology Skills[239],
whereas the BWEA suggested that greater links be forged between
industry, the National Skills Academy and Sector Skills Councils
(SSCs) such as the Energy and Utility Skills Council and the SSC
for construction (ConstructionSkills). We note that ConstructionSkills
currently part-funds a training course for the installation of
solar devices together with the National Federation of Roofing
Contractors (NFRC).[240]
233. BERR informed us that plans for a National Skills
Academy for the environment are being developed, as are plans
for a National Skills Academy for the electricity sector. Due
to the "complex footprint" of the renewable energy sector,
however, the Government believes that, rather than developing
a National Skills Academy in this area, the skills needs of the
renewables industry are best addressed by the collaborative working
of existing SSCs.[241]
234. We do not advocate the creation of a National
Academy or Sector Skills Council in the Renewable Electricity
Sector. Instead, we recommend that Sector Skills Councils, including
the Energy and Utility Skills Council, ConstructionSkills and
the Sector Skills Council for Science, Engineering and Manufacturing
Technologies, establish a cross council steering body to address
skills deficits within the industry.
KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER PARTNERSHIPS
235. Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) is a
programme that helps businesses improve their competitiveness
through better use of the knowledge, technology and skills that
reside within the UK. The programme enables a company to choose
a partner from the UK knowledge base (a university or college,
for example) in order to prepare a joint proposal for a project,
or projects, to enhance their business. The partners submit an
application for funding to the Technology Strategy Board, which
approves proposals as appropriate.
236. Successful KTPs have been operating for many
years and the 2008 Budget announced the Government's commitment
to doubling the number of KTPs available. The potential for the
KTP programme to contribute to the skills base of the renewable
electricity sector was raised by the Royal Society of Edinburgh:
The government's Knowledge Transfer Partnership
programme is a most effective enabler for knowledge transfer and
a flagship programme could usefully be established in the area
of new and renewable energy systems. Such an initiative would
both bridge the industry/academia gap and help with the training
of new graduates.[242]
We recommend that a flagship Knowledge Transfer
Partnership programme be established in the area of new and renewable
energy systems
228 Ev 383 Back
229
Ev 72, 111, 112, 121, 133, 176, 179, 241, 313, 348, 346, 350,
355 Back
230
Ev 112, Renewables Advisory Board, Current status and implications
for R&D funding and the Marine Renewables Deployment Fund,
RAB (2007) 0182, January 2008 Back
231
Ev 72 Back
232
Ev 241 Back
233
Ev 111 Back
234
Ev 358 Back
235
Q 232 Back
236
Ev 133, 179 Back
237
Q 230 Back
238
Q 340 Back
239
Ev 350 Back
240
Ev 278 Back
241
Ev 386 Back
242
Ev 121 Back