Government officials are working on plans to allow oil and gas workers to relocate to renewable energy projects without having to pay the cost of rehabilitation – which is currently an obstacle to Scotland’s renewable revolution.
The SNP-Greens government has promised ‘fair transition’ plans for oil and gas workers – but has been criticized for failing to deliver 130,000 green jobs as promised.
Last week, Scott Metson, Secretary of Energy and Transport for the Scottish Government Net Zero, warned that “labor and skills” are the biggest threat to the country’s net zero population and the start of a renewed revolution by 2045.
Brexst adds that the shortage of manpower is “limiting the size and speed of the transition from fossil fuels to renewable industries.”
Workers who now want to switch from fossil fuels to renewables have to pay thousands of pounds for special training.
Scottish worker MSP Mercedes Wilbababa has called on the Scottish government to bring in a naval training passport that “allows oil and gas workers to move freely between the coast and the navy” without the need for further training.
SNP Justice Minister Richard Lloyd has confirmed that work is underway to provide “skills security for workers in the carbon-related sectors” who are at risk of being left behind by a zero-zero transition.
The union leaders welcomed the development, but urged all coastal sectors to work together and set common standards for naval energy workers.
In a letter to the Vilibaba in the Herald, Mr. Lloyd highlighted his government’s plans for coastal workers’ job security.
“As part of the newly formed Green Works Academy, work is finally underway to design and develop such interventions,” he added.
North East RMT Regional Organizer Jack Moloi noted the recommendations made by the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board to bring “low level of competency” to various professions.
He added: “Oil and Gas UK has provided support, but only eight contractors have been registered in the sector, while other sectors, particularly Wind, have so far shown no support.
I am sure he will be further drawn to political will and support.
Mr. Moloy referred to any additional security or passport supplement for safety training.
He said there would be “gaps” in the requirements to speak, by helicopter overseas and by boat to wind turbines.
However, we believe that the minimum requirements for certain aspects can be met with ‘Bolt-on’ short, industry-supported, additional features.
Mr. Moloi added that a skill passport or guarantee can be obtained “if all industries work together and determine an acceptable base or minimum standard for naval personnel.”
He said, “However, this is being left to the training standards and they have a clear business obligation.
“Without political and regulatory support, we see workers being forced to spend thousands at various levels of unsustainable employment and support themselves.
For thousands of oil and gas workers, this would jeopardize their balance and savings.
STUC Secretary Rose Foyer added: “Currently, the oil, gas and marine sectors have put the standards together. This will lead to conditions similar to those of the 1,700 pounds that they have already received, as well as the ability of first aid training to navigate oil and gas to the ocean.
This offshore wind farm is much worse than the oil and gas sector, although there are health and safety records.
He added: “Standards are getting money from workers trying to make the transition.
“Along with the sector’s collective bargaining agreements and the power system, public control can play an important role in enabling maritime training workers to move to new, cooperative jobs under equal terms and conditions.
The oil and gas sector has also welcomed the idea.
Erin Bruce, OGUK Energy Services Agreement Manager, said:
Although we need oil and gas for a while, we recognize that there is a growing desire to create all future energy workers.
As more oil and gas companies join forces, it will be important to use existing skills and people to increase energy transfer – a key goal of the North Sea Transit Agreement signed between the industry and the British government.