New Government Scheme to Guide 200 Oil and Gas Workers Into the Green Economy

Oil and gas workers in the North East are being offered new hope as a fresh initiative launches to help them pivot toward careers in the sustainable energy sector. The newly introduced Oil and Gas Transition Training Fund is set to provide personalised career advice along with financial support for training. This will open doors for workers looking to move into emerging fields such as offshore and onshore wind, hydrogen, and carbon capture.

Around 200 individuals in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire are expected to benefit from the programme, which aims to equip them with the skills needed for jobs in the green energy space. The fund was designed through a collaboration between the Scottish Government and the UK Government’s Regional Skills Pilot, a £900,000 scheme explicitly targeted at the region. Delivery will be handled by Skills Development Scotland, with an additional £40,000 contribution coming from the Scottish Government.

This is part of a broader push to support a just transition to net zero. Through funds like the Just Transition Fund and the Energy Transition Fund, the Scottish Government has already committed over £120 million to the North East. These investments are helping to generate green jobs, foster innovation, and ensure the region’s workforce remains at the forefront of energy expertise for years to come.

Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy Gillian Martin said: “The North East has long been a titan in the oil and gas industry, and the valuable expertise within our workforce must be at the heart of the transition to new fuels and sustainable energy.

“This new Oil and Gas Transition Training Fund will support offshore workers to take on roles in the sustainable energy sector and has been designed and developed by the Scottish Government, supported by funding from the UK Government’s Regional Skills Pilot for Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, and will be delivered by Skills Development Scotland.

“I am determined to ensure a positive impact and powerful legacy of Scotland’s clean energy revolution, which benefits communities across the North East of the country.”

Skills Development Scotland Chair Frank Mitchell said: “Scotland’s oil and gas workforce possesses a broad range of skills and experience, which is vital to the continued growth of the renewable energy sector.

“The shift to sustainable energy generation and transmission represents a generational opportunity, and this funding will assist workers in making the most of their expertise in that growing sector.

“Our careers advisers are available for anyone who needs support in considering their options, or whether applying for the fund is right for them.”

UK Government Minister for Energy Michael Shanks said: “Aberdeen has been the energy capital of Britain for decades, and while oil and gas will be with us for decades to come, we are determined to make sure that workers are supported to access the thousands of jobs in industries such as offshore wind and carbon capture.

“This funding will help deliver a fair and prosperous transition in the North Sea, unlocking the full potential of renewable energy and reaping the economic benefits from the skills and experiences of Aberdeen’s workforce.”