A new skills passport aims to help North Sea workers shift to green jobs, but unions stress the need for more investment and a clear plan.
Grangemouth: Trade unions are really excited about a new “energy skills passport.” This initiative is designed to help North Sea oil and gas workers transition to green industries.
The pilot program, costing £3.7 million, will guide workers toward jobs in the offshore wind sector. It’ll also help them figure out any extra qualifications they might need. But unions are saying we need to act fast and invest more to make this shift from fossil fuels to clean energy happen.
They’re also calling for a solid plan to protect jobs. There are concerns about a “cliff-edge” for North Sea workers as oil supplies dwindle. Plus, Scotland’s last oil refinery in Grangemouth is closing soon, which could put hundreds of skilled jobs at risk.
The Energy Skills Passport has support from both the Scottish and UK governments. It was supposed to launch in 2023, but it’s finally happening now. Roz Foyer, General Secretary of the STUC, said it’s a welcome step, but it’s just the beginning.
She emphasized that oil and gas workers have skills that are crucial across the energy sector. The passport is a great start, but we need ongoing investment to protect workers’ rights and incomes.
John Boland, from the Offshore Co-ordinating Group, added that while the passport could help workers switch sectors, it’s not enough on its own. We need urgent action to safeguard jobs and ensure safety standards.
Gillian Martin, Scotland’s Acting Energy Secretary, expressed her support for the passport. She believes it will help manage the economic changes fairly for workers and their communities.
It’s an exciting time, but there’s still a lot of work to do to ensure a smooth transition for everyone involved.
