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Energy Skills Passport gains support from wind, oil and gas sectors

By: Chloe Emanuel 23/05/2024 RenewableUK

General Turbines Vessels Windfarms

Energy industry leaders have agreed on a roadmap for a prototype "energy skills passport," aimed at enabling cross-sector recognition of expertise and training within the energy industry. This initiative, part of the North Sea Transition Deal and Offshore Wind Sector Deal with the UK government, is designed to facilitate the movement of workers between sectors such as oil and gas and offshore wind.

The skills passport will allow workers and employers to recognise qualifications across various energy sectors, promoting smooth transitions for workers from oil and gas roles to positions in renewable energy. This development is crucial as the UK’s offshore wind industry, currently employing 32,000 people, is expected to expand to over 100,000 jobs by 2030, while oil and gas sector employment declines, RenewableUK states.

Research by Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) indicates that 90% of oil and gas workers possess transferable skills applicable to renewable energy jobs. The total number of jobs in energy production is projected to reach 211,000 by 2030. The skills passport aims to ensure these roles are filled by UK workers with relevant expertise.

The project is supported by a cross-sector partnership including Offshore Energies UK, RenewableUK, OPITO, and the Global Wind Organisation (GWO), among others. It has received £3.7 million in funding from the Scottish Government’s Just Transition Fund to OPITO, emphasising Scotland's role in the offshore energy transition.

The passport will align technical qualifications, map safety standards, and create career pathways for roles in the wind industry. Career information for over thirty oil and gas roles has already been developed, with pathways to positions such as maintenance technician and high-voltage senior authorised person.

User-testing of the skills passport is planned for summer and autumn, with the final version expected later this year. RenewableUK and OEUK will continue to explore additional measures to support workforce transitions between energy sectors.

Jane Cooper, RenewableUK’s Executive Director of Offshore Wind, emphasised the commitment to integrating oil and gas workers into the renewables sector, highlighting the value of their experience and skills. Katy Heidenreich, OEUK’s Supply Chain and People Director, underscored the importance of leveraging the offshore workforce’s expertise to ensure a sustainable energy transition.

Scottish Government Minister for Climate Action, Gillian Martin, praised the progress on the Offshore Skills Passport, noting its critical role in supporting the transition to renewable energy. She urged industry partners to expedite the development and implementation of this initiative.

For more information about offshore wind farm projects across the globe, click here.

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Energy Skills Passport gains support from wind, oil and gas sectors

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