Thousands more North Sea workers will be able to access tailored
support to help them transition into jobs in the sustainable
energy sector – thanks to an £18 million boost in funding.
The Scottish Government will invest a total of £9 million over
the next three years to the Oil and Gas Transition Training Fund,
matched by £9 million from the UK Government, to help oil and gas
workers access careers advice and funding for training to enable
them to move into roles in sustainable energy industries.
Launched as a pilot programme in June, in response to demand from
oil and gas workers, the scheme has received a total of £1.39
million funding to date, with at least 300 workers in Aberdeen
and Aberdeenshire set to be supported in this financial year.
The additional government funding will allow thousands of
additional workers to be supported by 2029. Both Governments will
now work with trade unions and industry to develop and promote
the scheme and explore opportunities for additional private
investment.
More than £120 million has already been invested by the Scottish
Government in the North East through the Just Transition Fund and
the Energy Transition Fund to support the region's transition to
net zero. This funding has helped create green jobs, support
innovation, and secured the highly skilled workforce of the
future.
Energy Secretary said:
“Scotland's innovation, expertise and vast renewable energy
resources will not only benefit the planet – but deliver new
economic opportunities and new jobs for households and
communities across the country.
“This continued and expanded funding to the Oil and Gas
Transition Training Fund will support more offshore workers to
take on different roles across the sustainable energy sector over
the next three years – helping to deliver a fair and managed
transition to the sector.
“We will continue to explore how best to support Scotland's
energy skills transition, working closely with the UK Government
on options like guaranteed interview schemes, redeployment pools
and skills passporting.”
UK Government Energy Secretary said:
“Communities across Scotland have long been calling out for a new
generation of good industrial jobs. The clean energy jobs boom
can answer that call - and today we publish a landmark national
plan to make it happen and places Scotland at the very heart of
the clean energy revolution this government is delivering.
“Our plans will help create an economy in which there is no need
to leave your hometown just to find a decent job. Thanks to this
government's commitment to clean energy a generation of young
people in Scotland can have well-paid secure jobs, from plumbers
to electricians and welders.
“This is a pro-worker, pro-jobs, pro-union, agenda that will
deliver the national renewal our country needs.”
All future Scottish Government funding remains dependent on the
upcoming 2026/27 Scottish Budget, Scottish Spending Review and
future annual Scottish Budgets.
Background
The Oil and Gas Transition Training Fund is aimed at individuals
who are currently working (or have worked in the last two years)
in the oil and gas industry. Further information regarding the
pilot can be found here: Home
Pilot to support oil and
gas workers in the North East - gov.scot
Support for oil and gas
workers - gov.scot
