When the industry, the Government and social partners mobilize for excellency in the energy sector

The French Government has just entrusted, in the Multiannual Energy framework 2023-2028, the new French Skills Agency with the task of opening a specific project on the ecological transition. This project will involve several stakeholders: the Ministry of the Environment, the Ministry for the Economy and Finance as well as the Ministry of Labour, representatives of the National Industry Council (CNI), and social partners. The prospective impetus given will focus on jobs, skills and therefore training, which are major challenges for the “Nuclear” and “New Energy Systems Industries” sectors. With its partners in the electricity sector, UFE is invested in the Outlook Employment Contract, under the aegis of the Ministry of Labour and the Ministry for the Ecological and Inclusive Transition, which should be officially signed during this 1st quarter of 2019….

Chaired by Edouard Philippe and placed under the responsibility of the Ministry of Economy, the National Industry Council (CNI) has the mission of enlightening and advising public authorities on industry and industrial services in France, at national and territorial levels as well as internationally.

The CNI, what is it?

The CNI brings together companies and employee representatives in Strategic Sector Committees (CSF) of the major sectors of the French industry, with thematic sections (Employment and Skills, Europe, Regulation and Simplification, among others). The mission of these Strategic Sector Committees[[18 CSFs have now been set up: aeronautics, food, automotive, wood, chemicals and materials, water, railways, construction industries, electronics, shipbuilding and maritime industries, new energy systems industries, security industries, health industries and technologies, digital infrastructure, mining and metallurgy, fashion and luxury, nuclear and waste processing and recovery]] is to develop concrete projects developed within the framework of roadmaps based on reciprocal commitments by the Government and the Industry.

Illustrating the challenges linked to the success of the ecological transition, two sector committees are now dedicated to Energy: the “Nuclear” CSF chaired by Dominique Minière (EDF) and the “Industries of the New Energy Systems” CSF Chairmanship is held by Isabelle Kocher (Engie) and the Vice-Presidency by Sylvie Jehanno (Dalkia). The major players of these sectors, the ministries and administrations involved but also representatives of the ETIs are now mobilised for the success of these two CSFs.

28 January: signature of the Strategic Contract for the “Nuclear” sector

Signed by Dominique Minière, Group Executive Director in charge of the EDF Nuclear and Thermal Facilities Division and Chairman of the “Nuclear” Strategic Committee, François de Rugy, Minister of State and Minister for Ecological and Solidarity Transition, Bruno Le Maire, Minister of Economy and Finance, and 4 trade union organisations, this new sector contract includes 6 key actions:

• Guarantee the skills and expertise necessary for an attractive, safe and competitive nuclear sector,
• Structure, with the help of digital technology, the supply chain and the innovation process within the sector,
• Promote a circular economy within the sector,
• Define the nuclear reactors of tomorrow and the tools of the future,
• Elaborate a global “sector” strategy at the international level,
• Launch a “sector” approach to accelerate the transformation of the industrial fabric into the industry of the future.

The French nuclear industry currently has more than 2,600 companies, including a very large proportion of SMEs and TWAs spread throughout the country, for a total of 220,000 jobs. Today, it is the country’s third largest industrial sector with many challenges to be met in the implementation of energy policy and the objectives of decarbonising the economy in France and abroad. Employment and skills are major public policy and economic issues. These dimensions are also at the heart of the ecological and digital transitions that must be achieved collectively. The first action of the “Nuclear” sector committee is to promote skills and expertise. The main objectives are to improve the attractiveness of the industry, the nuclear sector and its businesses through actions in the regions, and to provide initial and ongoing training opportunities to maintain quality skills and recruitment in the sector.

What about the Industry Sector Committee for New Energy Systems?

While discussions are still ongoing for the New Energy Systems Industry Sector Committee, with a view to signe a contract next spring, it is certain that the “Skills” component will also be an axis on which all will mobilize to structure, even more so, this new sector. Renewables, energy efficiency, storage, smart grids, support for SMEs will be the pillars.

The Contract for the prospective study of the electricity sector, the signature of which is eminent between the Ministry of Labour, the professional organisations FFIE, FIEEC, IGNES, GIMELEC, THINK SMART GRIDS and UFE as well as the trade unions, will obviously be one of the major contributions of this new sector committee alongside the other stakeholders involved. Now is the time for action: a big thank you to those who have already joined us!