The UK Government has accelerated the introduction of a “skills passport” to facilitate oil and gas workers transitioning into the renewable energy sector, notably offshore wind.
This move is part of a larger government strategy to support the workforce shift necessary for the clean energy transition.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband emphasized the need for a smooth transition during his visit to Aberdeen, which has been chosen as the headquarters for Great British Energy, the government’s new publicly-owned energy company.
Aiding the Transition to Clean Energy
The skills passport, developed by RenewableUK and Offshore Energies UK, with backing from the UK and Scottish governments, aims to standardize and recognize qualifications across the oil, gas, and renewable sectors.
It allows workers to leverage their existing skills and certifications, such as safety standards from oil and gas, to secure positions in the offshore wind industry.
This passport aims to simplify and reduce costs associated with retraining, which has often been a barrier for workers wishing to transition between these industries.
Officials noted that a digital tool supporting the passport is expected to be piloted by January 2025.
Research from Offshore Energies UK underscores the potential for this transition, showing that 90 percent of oil and gas workers possess skills transferable to offshore renewable roles.
Collaborating for a Greener Future
The Government also announced a new partnership between Great British Energy and the Scottish Government, focusing on accelerating clean energy projects across Scotland.
This £8.3 billion investment will go towards developing Scotland’s offshore wind capabilities and other renewable projects, a step the UK Government hopes will spur growth in Scotland’s clean energy infrastructure and supply chains.
Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy, Gillian Martin, highlighted Scotland’s leadership in offshore wind and community-based energy projects, underscoring the potential benefits of this collaboration for local economies.
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Reducing Barriers to Workers
The transition to renewable energy hasn’t always been straightforward for workers in the oil and gas sectors.
Currently, many workers face the challenge of non-transferable training certifications, requiring them to undertake costly retraining when moving from oil and gas to renewables.
Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray expressed his support for the skills passport initiative, which seeks to eliminate this hurdle and allow workers to shift back and forth between industries.
David Whitehouse, CEO of Offshore Energies UK, noted the importance of the skills passport as a critical tool in the evolving energy landscape, acknowledging the contribution of oil and gas workers in powering the UK over the past decades.
Similarly, Jane Cooper, Executive Director of Offshore Wind at RenewableUK, emphasized that the growth in offshore wind presents promising opportunities for skilled oil and gas workers looking to move into clean energy roles.
Strengthening the North Sea Energy Transition
The announcement coincides with the appointment of Liz Ditchburn as chair of the North Sea Transition Authority, an organization that regulates the region’s oil, gas, and renewable energy initiatives.
The North Sea Transition Authority will play a pivotal role in overseeing the strategic shift to clean energy sources in the North Sea region.
Sue Ferns, a leader at the energy trade union Prospect, welcomed the partnership between the UK and Scottish governments as a positive step toward decarbonizing the power supply by 2030.
She emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts across supply chains and highlighted the skills passport as a potential model for helping workers impacted by the transition to Net Zero.
Emma Harrick from Scottish Renewables echoed these sentiments, pointing to the wealth of experience and skills available within Scotland’s existing workforce.
She noted that Scottish companies specializing in offshore services, engineering, and inspection could greatly benefit from the green energy opportunities emerging through this partnership.
Moving Toward a Sustainable Energy Landscape
With this strengthened collaboration and the rollout of the skills passport, the Government is making strides toward a just energy transition.
By fostering a flexible and inclusive approach to retraining, the initiative aims to ensure that the UK’s energy workforce remains competitive and resilient as the nation moves toward its 2030 and 2050 climate goals.
The collective efforts of Great British Energy, industry groups, and governments signal a commitment to making the UK a leader in clean energy while supporting its workforce through this pivotal transformation.
UK Government accelerates a ‘skills passport’ to help oil and gas workers transition to renewable energy roles, supporting jobs in offshore wind.
The initiative aims to recognize transferable skills, easing worker movement between industries as part of the UK’s clean energy strategy.
