WEEK 2 · 21–27 SEPTEMBER 2026
Exploring the skills gap and EV industry
Professional practice reflective journal
Exploring workforce challenges and partnership opportunities in the EV charging sector.
Work Activities
During my second week at GetZero, I attended two events that broadened my understanding of workforce development and business partnerships.
On 22 September, I attended the University of East London Summit, where discussions explored artificial intelligence, skills gaps, inequality and changing employer expectations. I subsequently prepared a report highlighting insights relevant to GetZero's mission.
The following day, I attended EVCharge Live in Birmingham, exploring the EV charging ecosystem, potential partners and emerging workforce requirements.
Personal Reflection
Beyond the technical aspects of the EV industry, this week exposed me to the commercial challenges smaller organisations face when entering established markets.
One particularly valuable insight concerned subcontracting relationships. Larger companies often work through established networks of suppliers and subcontractors, making it challenging for smaller organisations such as GetZero to access decision-makers and identify partnership opportunities.
I realised that identifying potential partners is only the beginning. Effective business development requires understanding procurement structures, demonstrating a clear value proposition and finding appropriate entry points into established networks.
This challenged my initial assumption that relevant expertise and a compelling mission would be sufficient to attract potential partners.
The UEL discussions also reinforced the importance of addressing skills inequalities as industries evolve.
Moving forward, I aim to approach EV business development more strategically, researching stakeholders' needs and identifying where GetZero's green skills expertise could offer genuine value.