AN extra 100 oil and gas workers will be given access to tailored support to help them transition into the green energy sector.
An additional £450,000 has been awarded to the Scottish and UK Government's Oil and Gas Transition Training Fund meaning at least 300 workers in Aberdeen or Aberdeenshire will be able to access careers advice and funding for training to move into sustainable energy roles.
More than £120 million has already been invested by the Scottish Government in the north east through the Just Transition Fund and the Energy Transition Fund to support the region’s transition to net zero.
The funding comes as First Minister John Swinney opened Scotland’s largest energy transition skills hub in Aberdeen, which will support 1000 people from the north east and beyond into roles in sustainable energy.
Energy Secretary Gillian Martin said: “Today marks the beginning of Scotland’s Climate Week, which gives us a chance to recognise how the skills, experience and expertise of Scotland’s valued oil and gas workers are essential to delivering a fair and managed energy transition.
“This additional funding to the Oil and Gas Transition Training Fund will support more offshore workers to take on different roles across the sustainable energy sector.
“The north east has long been a titan in the oil and gas industry and it is only right we support the talented and skilled workforce to move into new roles in the evolving sustainable energy sector.”
The pilot phase of the fund is aimed at people who either live or work in Aberdeen City or Aberdeenshire, and are currently working – or have worked in the past two years – in the oil and gas industry.
The Scottish and UK Governments are considering extending the Oil and Gas Transition Training Fund beyond its current pilot phase.
It comes after the Scottish Government announced that four projects supporting the shift to clean energy will receive funding this year through the Just Transition Fund.
The successful projects include Cable Handling Facility, Maritime Developments Ltd (£2.9m) Orah Assembly and Deployment, Verlume Ltd (£2.5m) Enabling Renewable Energy Infrastructure, Fraserburgh Harbour Commissioners (£2.4m) and Large Scale Synthetic Mooring Line Test Rig, ORE Catapult (£500,000).
The Scottish Government said the investment targets areas that have provided energy security through oil and gas for generations, and hopes the funding will ensure the communities built around them remain at the centre of Scotland's energy future.
