The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Making green transition into a smooth one
As we plan for a green recovery, the energy sector’s critical role in Scotland’s ambitions to achieve netzero by 2045 has come into sharp focus.
The energy sector is at the forefront of the shift to net-zero and as we look to emerging sectors in hydrogen and CCUS, there is recognition of the skills, knowledge and experience that comes from the oil and gas sector and the contribution it will make to the transition.
Skills Development Scotland (SDS) has engaged with industry bodies and agencies to support the sector’s ambitions for Roadmap 2035 and to look ahead to the impact of a green recovery on people and skills within the oil and gas sector.
In December, an action plan for ensuring Scotland’s workforce has the skills needed for the transition to a net-zero economy was published for the first time.
The Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan identifies a series of priority areas focused on employers, education and individuals that will help Scotland capitalise on job opportunities emerging from the netzero transition.
It complements the updated Climate Change Plan published by the Scottish Government, which commits Scotland to a green recovery from Covid-19.
Measures identified to support a green recovery from Covid-19 include: • Targeted investment to support new jobs in sectors central to the transition to net-zero.
• Supporting people to upskill and reskill into emerging green jobs through measures such as the Flexible Workforce Development Fund and the National Transition Training Fund.
• Providing support to those facing redundancy.
• Ensuring collective regional responses to labour market challenges and opportunities resulting from Covid-19.
Jenny MacDonald, key sector manager for oil and gas at SDS, said: “The oil and gas sector is facing challenging times but this plan will support sectors driving net-zero ambitions to deliver a just transition for their workforces and seize the opportunities net-zero can bring to Scotland. It illustrates ambitions to update and refocus people’s skills in a fashion that improves productivity and enhances international competitiveness.
“Roadmap 2035 demonstrates the sector is already embarking on this journey and SDS is committed to working with employers across the supply chain on the transformation required.”