S4E03 :Future-ready infrastructure: Addressing the STEM skills crisis

Talking Infrastructure

Welcome to Season 4 of AECOM’s Talking Infrastructure podcast. In this series, we explore the challenges, opportunities, and innovations shaping the future of infrastructure – from accelerating the energy transition to ensuring our sector is ready for what comes next.

Episode 3: Future-ready infrastructure – Addressing the STEM skills crisis

In this episode, our host Toby Sadler is joined by expert guests from AECOM, Energy & Utility Skills and SSE to explore the pressing shortage of STEM skills across the infrastructure industry.

From nuclear and renewables to water and transport, the sector faces a growing demand for talent – yet is struggling to fill roles across all levels. As a third of the UK workforce sits in STEM roles, the risk of a shortfall could cost the UK economy up to £120 billion by 2030.

Together, our guests unpack the root causes of the issue, the gaps in education and workforce training, and share how they’re tackling the problem – from building early-stage pipelines and reskilling experienced professionals to cross-sector collaboration and digital upskilling.

📌 Key questions include:

• What’s causing the shortage of STEM skills across infrastructure?

• What are the specific impacts on energy, nuclear and utility projects?

• How can we encourage underrepresented groups back into the sector?

• What role do education, mentorship and policy play in solving the crisis?

• What does a future-ready workforce really look like?

Expert Speakers:

• Paul Cox, CEO, Energy & Utility Skills Leads the organisation that works with industry and government to tackle workforce challenges and secure a skilled, sustainable pipeline of talent for the UK’s utility sector.

• Stephanie O’Donnell, Strategic Workforce Planning Manager, SSE
  Responsible for shaping SSE’s future workforce and navigating the evolving skills demands of the energy transition.

• Karen Armstrong-Telfer, Nuclear Lead, AECOM
  AECOM’s lead on nuclear strategy and delivery, bringing deep insight into the specialised skills needed for growth and resilience in the sector.

• About the host:
  Toby Sadler, Senior Communications Manager, AECOM
  Toby brings experience from both journalism and communications. He hosts Talking Infrastructure with a curious mind and a passion for amplifying the voices shaping the future of our built environment.

Useful links:

• Podcast survey – take part in our podcast survey to help shape the future of the podcast. You could win your very own exclusive Talking Infrastructure podcast mug (T&Cs apply): https://forms.office.com/r/6DcYTjsgza

• Come and work for AECOM: discover the recruitment opportunities here: https://aecom.jobs

• Read our blog to learn more about nuclear decommissioning - Milestones and innovations in nuclear decommissioning - Blog

• Listen to an episode of our podcast about how we can encourage, upskill and attract engineers - Engineer of the future: building tomorrow’s workforce

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