The Labour Government is expediting the rollout of a “skills passport” aimed at aiding oil and gas workers to transition into renewable energy roles. This digital tool is designed to enable offshore workers to seamlessly move between both sectors in the future. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband is set to pay a visit to Aberdeen, where the publicly-owned energy company GB Energy is headquartered. Alongside this visit, the government plans to forge an agreement with the SNP Government to enhance GB Energy’s support for clean energy supply chains and infrastructure.
GB Energy, as a publicly-owned entity, will establish collaborations with Scottish public bodies to accelerate the development of clean energy projects. The skills passport initiative will establish uniform standards, recognise transferable skills and qualifications, and outline career progression pathways. The pilot phase of this programme is slated to commence by January 2025. Miliband emphasised the crucial role that Scottish energy workers will play in driving the UK’s clean energy future across various sectors such as carbon capture and storage, hydrogen, wind, and traditional oil and gas operations in the North Sea.
Acknowledging the importance of this cooperative endeavour, Acting SNP Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy, Gillian Martin, affirmed Scotland’s standing in clean energy initiatives and highlighted the significance of a just energy transition. The Scottish Government has already allocated £3.7 million between 2022-2024 to kickstart the development of the skills passport tailored for the offshore energy workforce. Secretary of State for Scotland, Ian Murray, stressed the necessity of streamlining the shift between oil and gas and renewables sectors for offshore workers. The existing system, where training in one sector does not translate to the other, limits career opportunities and can create financial burdens for workers.
Murray decried the current scenario where workers have to bear training costs independently as unacceptable. He stressed the urgency of implementing a skills passport that facilitates seamless mobility for offshore workers between both industries in the long term. In conclusion, the concerted efforts between the Labour Government, the SNP Government, and industry stakeholders underscore a commitment to fostering a sustainable and inclusive energy landscape that prioritises workforce development and ensures a smooth transition towards cleaner energy sources.