Tailored support for Aberdeen oil and gas workers
Around 200 oil and gas workers in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire will be offered tailored support to seize clean energy job opportunities.
The Oil and Gas Transition Training Fund, backed by £900,000 of UK Government funding, will help build the pipeline of skilled workers needed to make Britain a clean energy superpower as part of the government’s Plan for Change.
The programme is open to current and former oil and gas workers who live in or are employed in Aberdeen or Aberdeenshire, and are interested in moving into roles within clean energy, to take advantage of the thousands of high-quality jobs being created in the clean energy growth industries of the future.
Successful applicants will receive careers advice and funding towards training courses - supporting local people into opportunities in sectors such as offshore wind, hydrogen and carbon capture and storage, which could include roles in welding, electrical engineering, and construction.
This underscores the government’s commitment to unleashing the North Sea’s clean energy future and putting workers, communities, families and trade unions at the heart of a prosperous and sustainable transition for oil and gas.
Aberdeen is a key growth region for clean energy and is the headquarters of Great British Energy, alongside a thriving offshore wind and carbon capture industry. It is estimated that the offshore wind sector could support up to 100,000 direct and indirect jobs in Great Britain by 2030, with many jobs expected to be generated in other growth areas.
The programme will be delivered in partnership between the UK Government, Scottish Government and Skills Development Scotland.
Minister for Energy Michael Shanks said: "Aberdeen has been the energy capital of Britain for decades and while oil and gas will be with us for decades to come, we are determined to make sure that workers are supported to access the thousands of jobs in industries such as offshore wind and carbon capture. This funding will help deliver a fair and prosperous transition in the North Sea, unlocking the full potential of renewable energy and reaping the economic benefits from the skills and experiences of Aberdeen’s workforce."
Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray said: "It’s great news that this vital skills training in Aberdeen is now going live. We are absolutely committed to supporting Scotland’s world-class oil and gas workers as we transition to clean energy. This pilot will ensure there is a key role for our offshore workers in delivering our net zero future."
Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy Gillian Martin said: "The North East of Scotland has long been a titan in the oil and gas industry and the expertise within our workforce must be at the heart of driving a just transition to new fuels and sustainable energy."
This new Oil and Gas Transition Training Fund will support offshore workers to take on roles in the sustainable energy sector and has been designed and developed by the Scottish Government, supported by funding from UK Government’s Regional Skills Pilot for Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, and will be delivered by Skills Development Scotland.
Through initiatives such as the Just Transition Fund and the Energy Transition Fund, the Scottish Government has already invested £120 million in the North East’s transition to net zero to help create green jobs, support innovation, and secure the highly skilled workforce of the future.
This builds on previous government action to drive investment and deliver the next generation of good jobs for North Sea workers, including:
Awarding £55.7 million to the Port of Cromarty Firth in May, securing critical facilities needed for the rapid development of new floating offshore wind farms and ensuring that they are built in the UK.
Confirming funding to continue progress of Acorn in June, a significant carbon capture and storage project in Aberdeenshire, safeguarding around 18,000 jobs in the North Sea.
Great British Energy providing £4 million funding for Scottish community owned energy projects, announced in May in partnership with the Scottish Government.
Oil and gas workers are also benefitting from the Energy Skills Passport, in collaboration with industry and Scottish Government, which helps workers to identify routes into several roles in offshore wind including construction and maintenance. This will also be expanded to include more clean energy sectors over time.
The Aberdeen pilot is part of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero Regional Skills Pilots. Funding has already been given to Cheshire West and Chester, North and North East Lincolnshire and Pembrokeshire to identify skills support that is needed in their area. These areas will be considered for further funding for targeted measures. The Aberdeen pilot did not receive funding as part of Phase 1 of the Regional Skills Pilot as extensive skills mapping for Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire has already been undertaken.
