The majority of UK offshore workers will delivering low-carbon energy by 2030, according to a report by Robert Gordon University (RGU).
The report highlights that roles in decarbonised energies are projected to increase to 65% from 20% of all jobs in the offshore energy sector – oil & gas, offshore wind, carbon capture utilisation and storage and hydrogen.
It also indicated that over 90% of the UK’s oil and gas workforce have medium to high skills transferability and are well positioned to work in adjacent energy sectors.
The report found that around 200,000 skilled people are expected to be required in the UK offshore energy industry to ensure delivery in 2030.
Scottish Minister for Just Transition, Employment and Fair Work Richard Lochhead said: “The Scottish Government is wholly committed to ending Scotland’s contribution to climate change and doing so in a way that is fair for all, ensuring a green recovery and a just transition that supports good green jobs, skills and expertise and leaves no-one behind.
“Ensuring a just transition is critical for the energy sector and I welcome the findings of this review, which recognises that the knowledge and skills of the offshore oil and gas workforce are required for a successful and sustainable energy transition.
“The re-deployment and, where necessary, re-training of oil and gas workers will be key to ensuring a just transition over the next decade, and to meeting the labour and skills needs of a growing renewables sector.
Our Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan puts knowledge and skills at the heart of a systematic approach to retaining skills and expertise as we transition to becoming a net-zero economy.”
RenewableUK Offshore Wind Sector Deal director of people and skills Celia Anderson said: “Renewables are creating new opportunities for people across the UK, including workers leaving fossil fuel industries who have relevant transferable skills.
“We’re going to see a huge expansion in offshore wind over the course of this decade, quadrupling our current capacity by 2030.
“That means we’ll need a massive influx of highly-skilled UK workers to build vital new energy infrastructure, as this report shows.
“Former oil and gas workers offer a wealth of knowledge and experience in this field.
“The offshore wind industry is working closely with the Government to ensure the right training and support is in place to harness all the talent and expertise we’ll need in the transition to clean energy.
“For example, we’re developing an offshore energy passporting system to ensure that all parts of the energy sector recognise transferable skills and training, to enable offshore workers to move seamlessly between renewables and other technologies.
“This is one of the measures which will help us to increase the number of skilled people working in the sector by attracting a wide, diverse pool of talent of all ages and backgrounds.
“Another important step is for government to ensure that it reaches consenting decisions on major renewable energy projects in a timely manner, so that we can maintain our strong project pipeline in the years ahead.
“This will help the UK to help to reach net zero emissions as fast as possible”.