North Sea Transition Deal

Integrated People and Skills Strategy

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The success of our future integrated energy industry and its four main sectors – oil and gas, offshore wind, carbon capture and storage, and hydrogen – depends upon the skilled, agile and adaptable workforce who'll deliver it. Estimates suggest more than 211,000 offshore workers will be required by 2030, so attracting and retaining people is vital.

The Integrated People and Skills Strategy, developed on behalf of the UK oil and gas sector by energy skills organisation OPITO, highlights the benefits of a just and managed energy transition for the workforce, the industry, governments and communities.

Recognising the unique opportunity to bring together the offshore energy sectors, the strategy is designed not only to meet the commitments in the North Sea Transition Deal, but to create a joined-up approach to people and skills right across the offshore energy industry.

With UK offshore energy industry jobs forecast to grow to more than 211,000 by 2030, it's vital that we prepare and empower a diverse, agile and adaptable workforce, nurturing the skills we need in oil and gas, offshore wind, carbon capture and storage, and hydrogen.

Turning this strategy into reality requires clear leadership, collaboration and funding. OPITO has engaged widely across all of the offshore energy sectors listening carefully to understand the risks and opportunities – for leaders and managers, and for the workforce, both offshore and onshore.

  • John McDonald

    John McDonald

    CEO, OPITO

    “It's very clear that our future energy system will look very different to what's gone before and balancing decarbonisation targets with energy security is a huge opportunity. To succeed we must provide our people with the right skills, training and support to thrive in the net zero era.”

  • Greg Hands

    Greg Hands

    Minister of State for Business, Energy and Clean Growth (at time of publication, May 2022)

    This strategy will protect and enhance the opportunities of the sector's highly-skilled workers as we make the transition to a cleaner energy future.”

  • Michael Matheson

    Michael Matheson

    Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Net Zero and Transport (at time of publication, May 2022)

    “The Integrated People and Skills Strategy will play a fundamental role, alongside the Scottish Government's Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan, in supporting the transition, and the Action Plan on Aligning Offshore Energy Standards will be critical for ensuring skills transferability across the offshore energy workforce.”

  • Deirdre Michie

    Deirdre Michie

    CEO, OEUK (at time of publication, May 2022)

    “The publication of the UK energy industry's Integrated People and Skills Strategy is evidence of the collective determination to create a cross-sector workforce that can drive the transition to a more diverse energy future with domestic production at its heart.”

  • Pat Rafferty

    Pat Rafferty

    Scottish Secretary of Unite

    “Unite warmly welcomes the Integrated People and Skills Strategy as a significant step forward for the offshore energy sector. It's vital that as we progress towards a Just Transition and a net zero economy the offshore sector is prepared to capitalise on the opportunities of the present and future.”

  • John McDonald

    John McDonald

    CEO, OPITO

    “With UK offshore energy jobs forecast to grow to more than 211,000 by 2030, it's vital that we prepare and empower a diverse, agile and adaptable workforce, nurturing the skills we need in oil and gas, offshore wind, carbon capture and storage, and hydrogen.”

Resources

People and Skills Strategy

Action Plans

Media Materials

Case Studies

Energy skills alliance brand logo

The Energy Skills Alliance is a cross-industry group led by OPITO, bringing together leader from across the oil and gas, renewables, nuclear and refining industries, as well as representation from within regulators, governments and trade unions.

Aligned to North Sea Transition Deal

Broad strategy and focused action plans

Future people and skills demand

UK offshore energy sector by 2030

  • Production:

    200 million barrels

  • Capacity:

    50GW

  • Production:

    10GW

  • Capture & Storage:

    20-30mt CO2

2030 goals and outcomes

Underpinned by strategic priorities

  • Aligning offshore energy standards

    Workforce mobility is enabled through an aligned offshore energy standard

  • Meeting future skills demand

    The offshore energy sector is able to attract and retain the people it needs to succeed

  • Developing workforce skills

    The offshore energy industry devlops the skilled workforce needed to succeed

  • Championing diversity & inclusion

    The workforce reflects the diversity of society, is fully inclusive and embraces equality

  • Improving skills data intelligence

    The offshore energy industry has a robust data framework to enable informed decision making

Media Enquiries

For all media enquiries please contact Aspect: The Strategic Communication Experts