Energy & Utility Skills unveils new construction diploma to level playing field

Energy & Utility Skills has claimed its new Energy & Utilities Independent Assessment Service (EUIAS) Level 2 diploma has been developed and designed to help the water industry meet Ofwat’s call for for a “level playing field” in accreditation of people working on developer service contracts, “to support an effective self-lay market and enhance workforce mobility”.  

From April 2025, the regulator will require all individuals working on developer services contracts, including direct labour, framework partners and the supply chain, to hold a Level 2 Network Construction Operations (NCO) Water qualification. This requirement will align with the current one for self-lay organisations under the Water Industry Registration Scheme. 

The qualifications focus on: 

• the technical activities required by the role; 

• improving the efficiency of training delivery and assessment; and 

• removing the additional pathways for self-lay and distribution.

This, said Energy & Utility Skills, will ensure that “all individuals are trained and assessed to the same standard.”

EUIAS executive director, Rachel Thomas, said: ”These qualifications ensure a robust foundation of knowledge and skills essential for competently carrying out mains or service laying, repairs, or maintenance on distribution networks. Flexibility provides the most efficient route to technical qualifications for the workforce and industry.”