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Support for labourers to benefit from thousands of clean electricity employment
Regional skills investments to assist workers access thousands of employment and ‘skills passport’ goes live.
In an effort to promote sustainable energy practices and bolster the renewable energy sector in the UK, the government has announced regional skills investments to help workers access thousands of new employment opportunities. This initiative, part of the Plan for Change to make Britain energy secure with renewable power by 2030, aims to provide support to workers across various regions in the UK.
Aberdeen, Cheshire, Lincolnshire, and Pembrokeshire have been identified as pivotal growth regions for renewable energy, with thriving offshore wind, nuclear, and solar industries. Local partners in these regions will receive financial support to ensure that workers have the necessary skills and training to contribute to the renewable energy sector by 2030. This initiative seeks to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and create stable employment opportunities for households and businesses.
The funding allocated to these regions may be utilized for the establishment of training centers, development of courses, and provision of career advisory services to facilitate access to opportunities in sectors such as welding, electrical engineering, and construction. Additionally, the government has introduced a ‘skills passport’ to assist oil and gas workers in transitioning to renewable energy employment. Developed in collaboration with industry stakeholders and the Scottish Government, this online platform will help professionals identify pathways to positions within the offshore wind sector.
These initiatives are expected to create a pipeline of skilled workers essential for the provision of renewable energy by 2030. With an annual investment of £40 billion projected, this initiative aims to revitalize British industry and generate high-quality employment opportunities across the country. This underscores the government’s commitment to a job-intensive transition to renewable energy, with a focus on communities and trade unions.
Energy Secretary, Ed Miliband, emphasized the importance of the Plan for Change in providing sustainable energy solutions that not only protect households and businesses from fossil fuel market volatility but also revitalize British industry with well-compensated employment opportunities.
The collaboration with communities, businesses, and trade unions is key to providing workers in the UK with the training necessary to take advantage of opportunities in the renewable energy sector. The government’s proactive approach aims to prevent valuable employment opportunities from being lost overseas and instead create new jobs within the UK.
The Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy, Gillian Martin, highlighted the need to preserve the expertise of oil and gas workers while supporting their transition to renewable energy jobs. The Scottish Government has allocated funding to develop the Energy Skills Passport, which aims to utilize the skills and experience of oil and gas professionals for sustainable employment opportunities in the renewable energy sector.
With the pilot phase of the skills passport initiative underway, employees can now access career pathways and assess their existing qualifications. As the tool evolves with input from industry stakeholders and government funding, workers in industries like offshore oil and gas will have more opportunities to transition to renewable energy roles.
Initial funding for skills development will be allocated to regions like Cheshire West and Chester, North and North East Lincolnshire, and Pembrokeshire. These areas will receive support for training centers and skill-enhancement courses tailored to the needs of their workforce. Employers will also receive guidance on how to access support for workforce development, including sector-specific programs to prepare job aspirants for sustainable energy roles.
The recent announcement of the UK’s first carbon capture project in Teesside is another milestone in the government’s efforts to promote sustainable growth, address climate change, and revitalize industrial regions. The Secretary of State for Scotland, Ian Murray, reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting offshore workers in transitioning to renewable energy jobs through skills initiatives like the pilot programs in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
By providing workers with the training and resources they need to succeed in the renewable energy sector, the government aims to position the UK as a leader in clean electricity generation. The flexibility and support offered to employees transitioning between industries will help them capitalize on the emerging opportunities in the renewable energy sector.
