The Scottish Government is set to host an Offshore Energy Skills Event, taking place in Aberdeen today.
With a focus on encouraging the next generation of energy workers, the event will provide a space for the offshore energy workforce to share views and insights, encourage greater collaboration, and pinpoint where further action is needed to secure a just transition to net zero for Scotland’s offshore workforce.
Discussions will be held on the new Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan which is being revised to ensure it reflects the ambitions set out in the National Strategy for Economic Transformation to develop flexible skills and education system.
In the new plan, it is written that a focus on green jobs ” is more important than ever” in a time when the country faces rising unemployment and is attempting to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Net zero and energy secretary Michael Matheson said: “From oil and gas to offshore wind, hydrogen and carbon capture and storage, our offshore energy industry is rapidly changing. And as the industry transitions towards net zero, so too are the jobs and skills we need for the future.
“The Scottish Government is committed to playing a central role in harnessing the huge opportunities that lie ahead for our offshore workforce, and to partnering with industry, academic institutions and trade unions to deliver a just transition and create a bright future for the growing offshore energy workforce.”
Mr Matheson will take part in a panel discussion on workforce transition while green skills minister, Lorna Slater, will take part in a panel discussion on next-generation workforce.
Ms Slater said: “The Climate Emergency requires enormous societal change and it is clear that we must adapt the education and skills system to make it more agile and responsive to our economic needs and ambitions. It is equally important that we attract a new generation of people to forge careers in energy and help accelerate our journey to net zero. There has never been a more exciting time to join an industry in transformation with so much to offer.
“The Offshore Energy Skills Event is another example of the Scottish Government continuing to work collaboratively with industry to ensure the managed transition of skills and experience to protect key Scottish energy jobs and enables the sector to retain and attract the talent required.
“We will continue to ensure that our workforce is equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to seize the opportunities of the net zero transition.”
TotalEnergies is set to be in attendance in the Granite City today and the firm’s managing director, Jean-Luc Guiziou, said: “We’re pleased to be participating in today’s event because managing the skills transition is crucial to the success of the energy transition.
“At TotalEnergies it’s our ambition to be a world-class leader in that process, which includes leveraging the experience and skills of our traditional oil & gas business for the benefit of our growing renewables one.
“We’re already offering our people on-the-job experience in live projects but we can do more. Sessions like today’s are useful tools for driving greater success.”
The Offshore Energy Skills event is being run in partnership with Skills Development Scotland, the Energy Skills Alliance.
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