The UK government has unveiled a set of initiatives aimed at supporting workers in accessing job opportunities within the clean energy sector, part of the country's broader clean power mission. Identified regions such as Aberdeen, Cheshire, Lincolnshire, and Pembrokeshire are set to become key hubs for clean energy, focusing on offshore wind, nuclear, and solar industries.
To help meet the target of delivering clean power by 2030, local partners will receive funding to address regional skills gaps by establishing training centres and developing relevant courses.
A significant element of the government's plan includes the launch of a “skills passport,” which is designed to assist oil and gas workers in transitioning to jobs in the clean energy sector. The UK government has collaborated with industry and the Scottish government to create the tool, which will help workers access job opportunities in offshore wind, particularly in areas such as construction and maintenance.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband commented: “Our Plan for Change to deliver clean power is not just about protecting households and businesses from the rollercoaster of fossil fuel markets, it is also about reindustrialising Britain with thousands of well-paid, good union jobs in industrial communities. Unlike the failed approach of previous governments, we won't sit back and let good jobs go overseas instead of coming to our shores.
The skills passport, developed by RenewableUK and Offshore Energies UK with support from the UK and Scottish governments, will allow workers to create profiles that show which qualifications are recognized within the offshore wind sector. The tool will initially focus on four career pathways, with plans to expand in the future to include more routes from oil and gas into renewable energy roles.
Jane Cooper, Executive Director of Offshore Wind at RenewableUK, noted: “More than a hundred thousand people will be working in the UK's offshore wind industry by 2030, mostly in highly skilled roles. To grow our world-class industry as fast as possible, we need the valuable experience that oil and gas workers can bring.
The government will allocate approximately £1 million to regions including Cheshire West and Chester, north and northeast Lincolnshire, and Pembrokeshire, with funding for Aberdeen already being earmarked. Local partners in these areas will be empowered to use the funds to tailor training programs to meet regional needs.
Research from Offshore Energies UK has found that 90% of oil and gas workers possess skills that are transferable to clean energy sectors, helping to bridge the gap as the UK pursues its renewable energy targets.
