Support for workers to benefit from thousands of clean power jobs

The UK government has announced new regional skills investments aimed at creating thousands of job opportunities in the clean energy sector as part of its Plan for Change. Key regions identified for growth include Aberdeen, Cheshire, Lincolnshire, and Pembrokeshire, where the offshore wind, nuclear, and solar industries are expanding.

The initiative includes funding for local partners to develop tailored training programmes that align with the skills needed to support the transition to clean power by 2030. This funding could be directed towards establishing new training centres, developing courses, and providing career advisory services.

The government has also launched a ‘skills passport’ to facilitate the transition of oil and gas workers into clean energy roles. This online tool, developed in collaboration with industry and the Scottish government, will help workers identify pathways into jobs in offshore wind, such as construction and maintenance.

Research indicates that 90% of oil and gas workers possess skills relevant to the clean energy transition. From 22 January, workers can create an account to access the four current career pathways, helping them understand how their existing qualifications can be recognised in the renewable sector. The tool will be expanded over the next year to include additional pathways.

Employers will also get a handbook which highlights where businesses can access support to grow and upskill their workforce. This will include, for example, sector-based work academy programmes which help jobseekers into the sector, ensuring they have the necessary skills to deliver clean power by 2030.

Initial funding will be provided to Cheshire West and Chester, North and North East Lincolnshire, and Pembrokeshire, with each area receiving around £1 million to develop local training initiatives. Employers will also receive resources to help them upskill their workforce.