Source · Select Committees · Scottish Affairs Committee
Recommendation 20
20
Accepted
Paragraph: 105
Scotland is in a very strong position compared to many other countries wanting to develop...
Recommendation
Scotland is in a very strong position compared to many other countries wanting to develop their hydrogen industry, in part because it already has a large relevant skills base in the oil and gas sector that has the potential to be redeployed. The work the UK and Scottish Governments have been doing on skills and jobs for people to work in the hydrogen sector should be applauded, but further progress needs to be made urgently to ensure that Scotland continues to provide vital workers for the low carbon energy industry. The industry needs to take a leading role in working with both governments to identify gaps in the workforce and the skills that are needed as well as deciding how to transition and re-train people.
Government Response Summary
The government states it's already supporting green jobs, skills and industries through the North Sea Transition Deal and the Integrated People and Skills Strategy, and will continue to work with industry and education providers to understand the skills landscape as set out in the Hydrogen Sector Development Plan.
Paragraph Reference:
105
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The following is a combined response to recommendations 20, 21 & 22: The UK Government is committed to supporting green jobs, skills and industries. The UK Government will enable workers, places and sectors to transition and develop a skilled workforce through support of the North Sea Transition Deal. A key commitment of the North Sea Transition Deal is to support the transition of existing parts of the oil and gas workforce to ensure that people and skills are transferable across the wider energy sector. To achieve this, Government has supported the development of an Integrated People and Skills Strategy, which was published by the skills body OPITO in May 2022 following wide engagement across the offshore energy sectors. It creates a joined-up approach to people and skills right across the offshore energy industry and sets out how the workforce’s skills and capabilities can be redeployed to benefit the UK’s decarbonisation efforts. Ensuring there are the right skills and capabilities will be critical to achieving our hydrogen ambition. The Hydrogen Sector Development Plan (2022) sets out the government’s aim to work with industry and education providers to understand the skills landscape and build the workforce of the future. As set out in the Government Response to the Net Zero Review, Government and industry also continue to engage with all aspects of the CCUS supply chain, through the CCUS Council Supply Chain working group chaired by Lord Hutton. The CCUS Council’s supply chain activity will support the UK to develop a CCUS supply chain that utilizes the UK’s skills and delivers a high proportion of UK jobs, delivering significant benefits to regional economies in the UK’s industrial heartlands.