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:

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