The UK government has moved to help oil and gas workers transition to jobs in the wider engineering sector, including renewables.
The measures are outlined in the Oil and Gas Workforce Plan published by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills to ensure the industry better plan for future workforce requirements over longer-term timescales.
They include the Talent Retention Solution scheme, which is currently used by over 1000 companies in the engineering and manufacturing sectors.
The scheme will now be supplemented by an additional website specifically for those working in the oil and gas industry to search out wider opportunities.
The government has also extended the Advanced Learner Loans scheme to the oil and gas industry.
This will mean it is possible to apply for loans for qualifications at levels three to six, which will help workers in the oil and gas industry to study at higher levels and gain skills needed to transition into infrastructure or other engineering sectors.
Business Minister Anna Soubry said: “The future success of our economy depends on having the people with the right skills in the right jobs, and that’s why it’s vital we retain the talents of our highly-skilled workers currently in the oil and gas industry.
“There is already considerable demand for these skills whether it’s for nuclear new build, the fast-growing renewable energy sector or the nascent decommissioning industry.”
Image: reNEWS
UK targets offshore skills
Government initiative to help oil and gas workers transition to other sectors
By EBS