Where will the next generation of commissioning engineers come from?

The challenge we see

Commissioning is learned on live systems, alongside people who have done it before. There is no quick route. Across UK energy and infrastructure, many of the most experienced commissioning engineers and technicians are nearing the end of their careers. At the same time, new nuclear, offshore wind, grid, water and data centre programmes all want the same people.

What tends to go wrong

Projects plan for the build and leave commissioning resource until late. When the search starts, the strongest people are already committed elsewhere. Teams then fill the gap with whoever is available, and the least experienced people end up covering the hardest systems. Knowledge stays in a few heads, and when those people leave a job, it leaves with them. Younger technicians get little chance to learn because the programme has no room for it.

How NEPS can support

We can take on defined commissioning packages as your subcontractor, working under your contract, so you are not depending on hiring alone. Or we can provide commissioning, E&I, C&I and mechanical people to work alongside your own team, so experienced hands and newer technicians work side by side on the same systems.

We are building a discipline-tagged register of commissioning engineers, technicians and mechanical, E&I and C&I people. Our target is to put a shortlist in front of you soon after we receive a clear brief. It is a target, not a guarantee.

Talk to Jamie about your commissioning resource plan: jamie@neprojectsolutions.co.uk. If you are a commissioning engineer or technician, register your CV at /register.