Anticipating Tomorrow’s Skills

Overview

As the UK accelerates its transition to a net-zero economy, the need to anticipate and prepare for future workforce demands has never been more critical. Workforce Foresighting, a national initiative funded by Innovate UK and delivered through the Innovate UK Catapult Network, is at the forefront of this mission. It provides a systemic approach to identifying the skills and capabilities required to support emerging technologies and government transformation targets—ensuring that the UK’s education and training systems are ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow.

This interim report presents findings of a workforce foresighting study focused on High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Cable Systems Manufacture. Sponsored by RenewableUK and conducted by the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult in collaboration with the Workforce Foresighting Hub, the study explores the organisational capabilities essential for HVDC cable and converter manufacture in the UK, and their integration with offshore wind generation and power transmission.

Key insights and outcomes

Through a series of workshops and surveys, the study identified 131 capabilities relevant to HVDC systems. These include:

• 97 capabilities drawn from the existing Workforce Foresighting Data Cube:
  • 41 from UK IfATE or O*Net standards
  • 33 from the previous ORE Catapult Dynamic Cable Systems study
  • 23 from other foresighting cycles
• 12 capabilities adapted from previous foresighting work
• 22 newly defined capabilities specific to this study

These capabilities have been organised into 18 Future Occupational Profiles (FOPs)—coherent groupings that serve as a foundation for skills analysis, job design, and curriculum development. While not job descriptions, FOPs provide a flexible framework to understand the evolving nature of roles in HVDC manufacturing and their alignment with the broader offshore wind sector.

Looking ahead: the next phase

The next phase of the foresighting cycle “Causing Action” will focus on translating insights into tangible outcomes. ORE Catapult will collaborate with stakeholders to:

1. Refine FOPs and capability sets based on industry feedback.
2. Develop forecasts for component volumes and workforce demand.
3. Map training pathways aligned with FOPs and compare them to OWIC’s 16 priority roles.
4. Establish a working group across HVDC manufacturers and training providers to:
   • Identify course content based on foresighting data
   • Champion HVDC skills development in the renewables sector
5. Explore further foresighting opportunities in high-voltage electrical engineering
6. Continue outreach to promote green careers and STEM education

Explore the data

The report offers deeper insights into the foresighting methodology, topic selection, and include links to an interactive visualisation tool for exploring the data generated during the study.

The fifth Workforce Foresighting report by ORE Catapult marks a critical step in preparing the workforce for the future of offshore wind. By identifying and developing the necessary skills and capabilities, this initiative ensures that the UK remains at the forefront of renewable energy technology and industrial growth. The ongoing collaboration with stakeholders and educational institutions will be pivotal in closing future skills gaps and fostering innovation in the sector.