ECITB Census offers ‘unique insights’ on carbon capture and storage sector

February 20, 2025

Figures published today (18 February) highlight specific characteristics and challenges in the carbon capture and storage (CCS) sector within the engineering construction industry (ECI).

The Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) published the overarching findings of its latest Workforce Census in January, offering a comprehensive overview of the ECI workforce. This covered demographic distribution and trends across sectors and regions, hiring challenges and business opportunities over the next three years.

The industry-led skills body has now published a sectoral breakdown of the Census with detailed analysis on disparities across the ECI’s different sectors, which include oil and gas, nuclear, power generation, renewables, chemicals, food and drink, pharmaceuticals, water treatment, hydrogen, carbon capture and storage.

The report provides an up-to-date snapshot of the workforce, having gathered data on more than 1,100 workers in the CCS sector.

It cites that most carbon capture and storage projects are in the early stages of development, awaiting final investment decisions (FID). Because of this, the sector’s workforce is predominantly office-based (91%).

The report reveals that employers involved in the sector anticipate a 12% increase in their workforce numbers over the next three years.

It also highlights that employers in the wider ECI view the sector as presenting “interesting business opportunities, though the pace at which projects reach FID tempers some of their optimism”.

Delays in FIDs have slowed the uptake in the sector. An analysis of projects initially set to reach FID in 2024 or later revealed that, between December 2023 and December 2024, the average announced FID date for projects was delayed by seven months.

ECITB Chief Executive Andrew Hockey said: “The Census is vital in helping industry understand labour market dynamics, anticipate workforce challenges and develop strategies to address skill gaps across Great Britain.

“Our Sectoral Workforce Census report highlights that each sector exhibits distinct demographic characteristics.

“It provides detailed occupational headcounts and sector-specific hiring challenges, giving us unique insights into workforce capabilities and training needs in the carbon capture and storage sector.

“Only through bringing in new talent and training and upskilling existing workers can industry secure the skilled workforce it needs both for now and the future.

“The ECITB will continue to support employers in the CCS sector to invest in their talent pipeline – helping grow the number of apprenticeships and graduate opportunities, developing alternative entry pathways and funding quality training to upskill and reskill the workforce.”

Other findings on the carbon capture and storage sector

  • The sector now accounts for 1.2% of the overall ECI workforce.
  • Due to its developmental phase, London and its surrounding areas are the primary workforce hotspot. Other significant locations include the outskirts of Liverpool up to Manchester, Birmingham, Middlesbrough, Newcastle and Winchester.
  • Key roles include process, mechanical and project engineers, professionals in procurement, planning, estimating and project managers.
  • Welders, pipefitters and mechanical fitters represent 8% of the sector’s workforce but are “expected to play an increasingly critical role as major projects reach FID”.
  • The CCS sector has a higher proportion of workers under 30 (22%) compared to the wider ECI (17%), while 13% of workers are aged over 60.
  • The sector employs a higher proportion of women compared to the broader ECI workforce (21% versus 17%).
  • 93% of the CCS workforce are UK nationals, compared to 94.6% in the wider ECI.

 

Helping predict future trends

 

The ECITB conducts a census every three years, with in-scope employers providing information on workforce numbers by occupation, sector and location, as well as demographics data on age, gender, ethnicity and nationality.

 

Employers primarily involved in engineering construction are considered ‘in-scope’ of the ECITB’s remit, with those exceeding a certain size legally required to contribute to an industrial training levy.

 

In summer 2024, employers were asked to fill out an online survey which included questions on expected workforce growth, business opportunities by sector and hiring challenges.

 

Andrew added: “Thanks to a record response rate, up from 54% of the workforce covered in 2021 to 78.8%, the ECITB will now be able to provide more precise, up-to-date data to industry and make predictions on future workforce trends and labour demands in the carbon capture and storage sector.

 

“The Census data will help inform training interventions and ensure accurate representation of industry in our discussions with governments and other partners.”

 

Find out more about the ECITB Workforce Census at: www.ecitb.org.uk/research/census/

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