THE delivery of skills passports for oil and gas workers is to be accelerated, the UK Government has announced.
The initiative will highlight the transferable skills of oil and gas workers and ensure their qualifications are recognised by employers across various sectors.
The launch of the passports is industry-led and is being overseen by RenewableUK and Offshore Energies UK, with support from both the UK and Scottish governments which will align standards, recognise transferable skills and qualifications, and map out career pathways for suitable roles. A digital tool will also be piloted in January 2025.
Further to this, the UK and Scottish governments are also set to sign a new agreement to boost Great British Energy’s ambitions to support clean energy supply chains and infrastructure.
The UK Government explained that, by developing partnerships with Scottish public bodies in the clean energy sector – such as Crown Estate Scotland, the Enterprise Agencies, and the Scottish National Investment Bank – Great British Energy can deliver ‘quickly and effectively, avoid duplication, and deliver maximum impact and value for money’ from Scottish projects.
Scotland has a strong pipeline of opportunities and is at the forefront of floating offshore wind development, and Great British Energy is in ‘prime position’ to help accelerate the work by harnessing expertise in project development, investment, and work with local communities, it added.
UK Government energy secretary, Ed Miliband, said, “Scottish energy workers will power the United Kingdom’s clean energy future- including in carbon capture and storage, in hydrogen, in wind, and with oil and gas for decades to come as part of a fair transition in the North Sea.
“Unlike in the past we’re also working closely with the Scottish Government with a new agreement to ensure our publicly owned company Great British Energy is primed to accelerate clean energy investment in Scotland.”
Scottish Government acting cabinet secretary for net zero and energy, Gillian Martin, said, “I welcome this collaborative agreement committing Great British Energy to work with our public bodies to maximise investment into Scotland. Scotland already has a strong pipeline of clean energy and supply chain opportunities, is at the forefront of floating offshore wind development, and has a depth of knowledge and experience on community and local energy. We look forward to working with Great British Energy to ensure it delivers real benefits for the people of Scotland and a just energy transition.
“To make sure that no offshore energy workers are left behind, the Scottish Government provided initial funding of £3.7 million between 2022 – 2024 for the development of the industry-led skills passport.”
