WORKING AT HEIGHTS - Wind Energy Network

SKILLS GAPCompany re-launchesto tackle skills challenge“There is not a significant skills shortageyet, but with the continuing gas fieldwork, new nuclear and the developingwindpower sector, if we do not get ouract together now the gap could becomehuge. We want to ensure clients areprepared.“What we are looking to achieve as abusiness is to provide a seamless supportservice to our clients.”The company can also offer recruitmentprocess outsourcing to clients withouttheir own specialist or HR teams.John Balch (left), NWES Strategic Director, welcomes PWE ManagingDirector Stuart Smith to OrbisEnergy.The search for enough skilled workersto meet the future demands of theEast of England energy industry hasprompted one recruitment business tore-name and re-launch itself ready forthe challenges ahead.People with Energy (PWERecruitment Group Ltd)Inspired by its own slogan, Beccles-basedPDS will from this week be known as thePWE Recruitment Group focusing totallyon recruitment and saying farewell to a25-plus year heritage since it started life asProject Design Services.“Over the last few years, we have gonefrom strength to strength and expect lastyear’s £2.4m turnover to leap to £3m thisyear,” he said. “We’re not only steppingup the recruitment business but intendtaking on six new staff ourselves over thecoming three years.”Sister companiesThe group comprises sister companiesForces4Energy, which recruits ex-militarypersonnel for the energy industry, andLondon-based Forces4City, which hasa wider industry brief and specialises infinance and information technology.ClientsRecruiting everyone from directors andsenior managers through to techniciansand labourers, PWE has companies likeMott McDonald, Proserv Controls, TycoFire & Integrated Solutions and 3sunamong its clients.EEEGRMr Smith said they were indebted toEEEGR (the East of England EnergyGroup) and consultant John Balch forsupport and funding arrangements duringthe redevelopment plans.PWE Recruitment Groupwww.peoplewithenergy.co.uk2013 – a year of changeStuart Smith, who took control of thebusiness four years ago after workingthere for nearly two decades, said 2013would be a year of change, evolutionand expansion with more than £65,000invested in the company’s re-branding.And as well as its Beccles headquarters,PWE has offices at OrbisEnergy,Lowestoft, and Sunningdale and isopening shortly in Aberdeen.Keeping the lights on“Keeping the lights on is paramount sothe energy industry is always buoyant.”said Mr Smith.www.windenergynetwork.co.uk17