Industry bodies to develop plan to support workforce amid concerns about skills deficit
Leading industry bodies in New Zealand's energy sector will develop a comprehensive plan to identify the workforce gaps and support needed for the sector.
The Electricity Engineers' Association (EEA) and Energy Resources Aotearoa signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop the 2025 national energy workforce report and action plan, which is set for a December 2025 release.
In the report, both bodies aim to identify critical workforce gaps, training needs, and future skills needed to support the energy sector's evolving landscape.
It will also map the current schooling, vocational, and tertiary pathways whilst proposing solutions for attracting, developing, and retraining the sector's workforce.
"By aligning analysis across all forms of energy, we can provide a clearer picture of workforce needs and better coordinate investment in talent development," said John Carnegie, Chief Executive of Energy Resources Aotearoa, in a statement.
"It's about building a resilient, skilled workforce that's ready to lead the future for our energy sector."
Meanwhile, EEA Chief Executive Nicki Sutherland said their collaboration signals a "more unified energy sector."
"By breaking down traditional silos, the partnership seeks to ensure that workforce planning reflects the full complexity of the sector's challenges and opportunities, enabling smarter, more coordinated action to meet the demands of a low-emissions future," Sutherland said in a statement.
A national event will be held during the report's launch in December. It will host government, educators, industry leaders, and community stakeholders.
The initiative comes as New Zealand's energy sector faces a "skills deficit."
Energy Resources Aotearoa previously welcomed the government's introduction of an independent, industry-led model for work-based learning starting January 2026.
"We would like to see a cohesive Industry Skills Board representing the broad energy sector to ensure consistency and coordination across our workforce needs," Carnegie said in April.
"This is especially important given the skills deficit and the particular challenges the sector faces to deliver secure, reliable and affordable energy to households and businesses."
