Plans to support the training of specialist electricians,
engineers and technicians who will be key to the expansion of
Scotland's offshore wind sector have been published today.
Developed in partnership with industry and public sector
partners, the Offshore Wind Skills Priorities and Action Plan
sets out 12 initial actions to support the pipeline of skilled
workers needed by the sector.
These include work in relation to a new engineering foundation
apprenticeship, linking 'work ready' programmes with
under-represented groups in the offshore wind sector, training
oil and gas workers with skills to enable them to also work in
the wind sector and establishing new training partnerships.
The plan also identifies priority regions where demand for work
will be the greatest, in Aberdeen and the North-East, the
Highlands and Islands, and Tayside, Central, and Fife.
The plan builds on existing initiatives aimed at upskilling
Scotland's renewable energy workforce, including an Energy
Transition Skills Hub, the college sector Offshore Wind Skills
Programme which started this year, and the Oil and Gas Transition
Training Fund - supporting workers to retrain and move into new
renewable energy job opportunities.
Deputy First Minister said: "The expansion of
Scotland's offshore wind sector represents a once-in-a-generation
opportunity to drive economic growth, foster innovation and
support our transition to net zero.
“It also offers the chance to create thousands of high-quality
jobs giving opportunities to those entering the job market for
the first time as well as those who want or need to change
careers including as part of a just transition.
“Supporting the development of a skilled workforce is absolutely
critical to the success of the sector.
“This plan marks the first step in a long-term, coordinated
programme of joint work across private and public sectors to
position Scotland as the world's leading destination for
developing the offshore wind workforce of the future.”
Scottish Renewables, Chief Executive Claire Mack OBE, said:
"Scotland already has a globally significant energy workforce,
built up over decades of project deployment, operations and
maintenance.
"A new pipeline of fixed and floating offshore wind projects
presents a unique opportunity to build on that existing skills
base — strengthening it and creating opportunities that will take
us into the future jobs market.
"The scale and significance of our energy transition demands
close working between the private and public sectors to leverage
new approaches on skills, apprenticeships and training. This will
benefit not just our sector, but the entire economy.
"I'm proud of the partnership that has come together on the
Offshore Wind Skills Action Plan, and we must all remain
committed to its delivery for the benefit of Scotland's
workforce."
Background
Offshore Wind Skills Priorities
and Action Plan
A new Offshore Wind Skills Programme Board, chaired by the
Scottish Government and with representatives from industry and
public sector partners will also be established to coordinate
delivery.
7 priority job roles in offshore wind:
- installation and maintenance electricians
- metal working production and maintenance fitters
- wind turbine technicians
- mechanical design engineers
- engineering technicians
- electrical engineers
- marine and waterways transport operatives.
The Offshore Wind Skills Priorities and Action Plan has
been developed by the Offshore Wind Skills Short-Life Working
Group which is co-chaired between the Scottish Government and
industry, and brings together representatives from economic
agencies, industry bodies, colleges, universities, local
government, skills bodies, funding bodies and trade unions.
The plan builds on existing initiatives aimed at upskilling
Scotland's renewable energy workforce, including an Energy Transition Skills
Hub, the college sector Offshore
Wind Skills Programme which started this year, and the Oil and Gas Transition
Training Fund - supporting workers to retrain and move into
new renewable energy job opportunities.
