More than 1,000 oil and gas workers in Scotland are set to benefit from a £6 million government scheme offering tailored skills support to help them transition into new industries. The expansion of the programme follows a successful pilot scheme in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, which has already helped over 400 North Sea workers retrain for roles in Scotland's energy transition.
Backed by a total of £6 million from the UK and Scottish governments, the expanded scheme will provide training support to current and former oil and gas workers living anywhere in Scotland, should they wish to transfer their high-value skills into fast-expanding sectors under the energy transition. The programme will also offer training in other growth sectors, including advanced manufacturing, life sciences, and defence.
According to the government, the expansion of the scheme is part of its commitment to deliver a fair and prosperous transition in the North Sea, which it claims will create over 40,000 new roles in Scotland by 2030. The scheme is also being expanded to provide training support in other growing sectors, where the skills and expertise of oil and gas workers are in demand.
The expansion of the scheme has been welcomed by Energy Minister Michael Shanks, who said: 'Thousands of good jobs are being created right now in renewable energy and upgrading our grid and we want to make it as easy as possible for people with skills from the oil and gas industry to take advantage of these opportunities.'
Scottish Government Energy Minister Stephen Gethins also welcomed the expansion, saying: 'Scotland has the geography, we have the infrastructure, and above all, we have the people to make the most of the energy transition that is upon us.'