‘Skills passports’ endorsed

Unions have endorsed the UK and Scottish governments’ plans for regional skills investments and “skills passports” to help workers move between sectors.

Government-backed training programmes will help workers “benefit from thousands of new job opportunities in the clean energy sector”, with Aberdeen, Cheshire, Lincolnshire and Pembrokeshire identified as key growth regions for offshore wind, nuclear and solar industries.

Local partners will receive funding to identify the skills support needed in their area to deliver clean power by 2030.

The online passport will help oil and gas workers identify routes available to them in the renewables sector, such as in offshore wind construction and maintenance.

“We welcome the introduction of [the] digital offshore skills passport after a lengthy process with employers and training bodies,” said John Boland, chair of the Offshore Co-ordinating Group of trade unions, formed by the BALPA, GMB, Nautilus, RMT and Unite general, maritime and transport unions.

“When fully developed, it has the potential to make it easier for workers to move between sectors.”

But he warned that “on its own, the skills passport is not going to achieve a Just Transition for offshore oil and gas workers”.

And he called for urgent action to protect offshore workers and supply chain jobs currently at risk from decommissioning.

“There needs to be a clear plan to safeguard incomes, trade union rights, and safety standards,” he added.