- New training and work placement opportunities
Three more projects to help grow Scotland's offshore wind
workforce have been awarded funding through the Scottish
Government's £3.85 million Offshore Wind Skills Programme.
Ayrshire College, the National Manufacturing Institute of
Scotland (NMIS) and STEM Returners will each receive a share of
£861,000 to deliver training, work placements and career
transition support, helping to build the skilled workforce needed
to support the continued growth of Scotland's offshore wind
sector.
These initiatives will open opportunities for people from a wide
range of backgrounds, including final-year engineering students,
STEM professionals returning to work after a career break, and
those looking to transfer skills from sectors such as oil and
gas, subsea, maritime and defence into offshore wind.
The funding will enable participants to develop new skills, build
on existing experience and access opportunities across Scotland's
growing offshore wind industry.
The funding announcement coincides with the launch of Ayrshire
College's Scottish Wind Technician Education Centre (SWiTEC),
established in partnership with leading Norwegian provider Energy
Innovation.
Energy Minister said:
"Scotland's growing offshore wind sector offers a generational
opportunity for high-quality, well-paid employment across the
country in a wide range of roles.
These projects highlight how the Scottish Government is
responding to the skills needs identified by industry, working
with employers and training providers to create clear pathways
into offshore wind while helping people across Scotland put their
knowledge and expertise to work in the sector.
With funding through our Offshore Wind Skills Programme, these
projects will enable more people to secure good, well paid,
long-term jobs and realise the wider economic benefits of our
journey to net zero, as we build a more secure and more
affordable energy future for Scotland and for Europe."
Angela Cox, Principal and Chief Executive of Ayrshire College
said:
We are delighted to receive this support through the Scottish
Government's Offshore Wind Skills Programme, which will help us
expand opportunities for learners and strengthen Scotland's
offshore wind workforce.
"Through the Scottish Wind Technician Education Centre, learners
will benefit from Ayrshire College's high-quality vocational
education alongside Energy Innovation's proven industry training,
which is already well established and internationally renowned.
This will equip full-time students, people transitioning from
other sectors and those already working within Scotland's energy
and engineering supply chains with the practical skills and
recognised qualifications employers need.
Working with Energy Innovation, the Scottish Government and
industry partners, we have a significant opportunity to develop a
skilled, work-ready workforce while opening up high-quality
career opportunities for people across Ayrshire and beyond.
Background
The Offshore Wind Skills Programme (OWSP) was established by the
Scottish Government in 2026 and allocated £3.85 million to
support the development of the skilled offshore wind workforce
needed to support the sector's growth.
The projects announced today represent a further £861,000 of
investment through the programme, following the first projects
approved and announced in June, bringing the total funding
awarded to £2,540,000.
Ayrshire College: £280,000
NMIS: £466,000
STEM Returners: £115,000
Ayrshire College will receive £280,000 to deliver a major
offshore wind training programme through the Scottish Wind
Technician Education Centre (SWiTEC), 100 learners, including 50
full-time students and 50 learners from just transition and
supply chain backgrounds. A further 150 learners will be
supported through employer and complementary funding streams,
creating training opportunities for up to 250 learners in
total.
NMIS, part of the University of Strathclyde, will receive
£466,000 to deliver an Offshore Wind Skills Accelerator pilot to
provide 25 final-year engineering students with paid offshore
wind-related internships, placements and work-based learning
opportunities, with Real Living Wage support for all
participating students.
NMIS will also establish a new Pre-Approved Talent System, a
shared talent-matching platform expected to create a pool of at
least 75 verified candidates. The pilot aims to engage at least
15 offshore wind and supply chain employers, facilitate more than
50 candidate interviews and support at least 25 internship,
placement, apprenticeship or employment offers.
STEM Returners, in partnership with Global Underwater Hub (GUH),
will receive £115,000 to deliver the Offshore Wind STEM Returners
& Skills Transition Programme, for STEM professionals
returning to work after a career break, as well as those looking
to transfer skills from sectors such as oil and gas, subsea,
maritime and defence into offshore wind. The programme will
provide up to 20 employer-embedded placements linked to live
vacancies with offshore wind and supply chain companies operating
in Scotland, with support throughout including recruitment,
assessment, onboarding and in-placement mentoring.
