Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 37
37
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 206
Offshore oil and gas workers have many of the skills that will be needed elsewhere...
Conclusion
Offshore oil and gas workers have many of the skills that will be needed elsewhere in the economy as the UK accelerates the energy transition. It is vital that Government works with training bodies, unions and the industry to offer adequate support in the transition to retrain and reskill for jobs in the net zero economy. The industry predicts that 45,000 jobs will be lost in oil and gas by 2030, but the North Sea Transition Deal has placed no commitments on companies to support workers in reskilling for new opportunities in the new offshore low-carbon economy. Stakeholders have also raised concerns that workers are currently having to fund their own retraining.
Government Response Summary
The Government recognizes the importance of a skilled workforce and is working with industry, trade unions, training providers to support workers to reskill, citing the North Sea Transition Deal commitment to create a people and skills plan, investment in skills and training programmes, and a Hydrogen Skills Assessment.
Paragraph Reference:
206
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
Offshore oil and gas workers have many of the skills that will be needed elsewhere in the economy as the UK accelerates the energy transition. The Government recognises the importance of a skilled workforce and the need to ensure workers in oil and gas have the skills required to succeed in the low carbon economy. The Government is working closely with industry, trade unions, training providers and other stakeholders to support workers to reskill and transition into new roles. The North Sea Transition Deal committed the Government to work with industry and unions to create a people and skills plan to ensure workers and communities are supported through the transition. This plan, which is currently being developed, will identify the skills and training needed to support the transition to a low carbon economy, and will set out how these skills and training will be delivered. In addition, the Government is investing in a range of skills and training programmes to support workers to reskill and upskill. These programmes include the National Skills Fund, which provides funding for adults to gain the skills they need to progress in their careers, and the Green Jobs Taskforce, which is working to identify the skills and training needed to support the growth of the green economy. As part of the British Energy Security Strategy, the Government committed to publish a Hydrogen Skills Assessment to understand future skills and workforce requirements in the growing hydrogen sector and is committed to publishing this assessment as soon as possible. The Government is also working to ensure that the oil and gas industry takes responsibility for supporting its workers through the transition. The North Sea Transition Deal includes a commitment from industry to work with unions and training providers to provide retraining and reskilling opportunities for workers. The North Sea Transition Deal ensures the sector plays a key role in developing the diverse skills needed for the energy transition.