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As the UK accelerates its shift away from fossil fuel dependency, the Government has announced a significant investment aimed at equipping workers for the green energy transition. Central to this effort is the launch of a pioneering ‘Skills Passport’ initiative, designed to help workers transition into roles within the burgeoning clean energy sector. This tool will assist individuals in mapping out career pathways into industries such as wind energy, infrastructure, construction, maintenance, and operations.
Jane Cooper, Executive Director of Offshore Wind at RenewableUK, highlighted the critical role of these workers:
“More than a hundred thousand people will be working in the UK’s offshore wind industry by 2030, mostly in highly skilled roles.”
“To grow our world-class industry as fast as possible, we need the valuable experience that oil and gas workers can bring.”
The pilot programme which launches today, 22nd January, focuses on key regions identified as clean energy growth hubs: Aberdeen, Cheshire, Lincolnshire, and Pembrokeshire. These areas boast significant potential for renewable energy development, including offshore wind, nuclear, and solar power. Each region will receive around £1 million in funding, with local and devolved partners empowered to develop their own strategies for deploying the investment effectively.
Research by Offshore Energies UK has revealed that 90% of oil and gas workers already possess skills relevant to the clean energy transition. To capitalise on these expertise, the tailored training programmes aim to help these workers transition into the expanding green energy job market efficiently. Complementing these efforts, the skills passports will act as an online resource to connect workers' existing skillsets with clear pathways to new roles.
This initiative plays a vital role in the UK's commitment to deliver clean power by 2030. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband outlined the broader vision:
“Our Plan for Change to deliver clean power is not just about protecting households and businesses from the rollercoaster of fossil fuel markets; it is also about reindustrialising Britain with thousands of well-paid, good union jobs in industrial communities."
"Unlike the failed approach of previous governments, we won’t sit back and let good jobs go overseas instead of coming to our shores. We are working with communities, businesses, and trade unions to train workers here in Britain, so we can seize the opportunities that clean power brings.”
The Energy Secretary is hosting a roundtable today with representatives from government, industry, education, and trade unions to discuss strategies for building a skilled and adaptable labour force.
The Government’s plan aligns regional investments and training programmes while supporting workers in navigating their transition to green energy. This approach not only addresses the challenges of the clean energy shift, but also fosters economic growth and job creation in communities historically reliant on fossil fuels.
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