Majority of offshore energy workers in low-carbon roles by 2030

A new report has predicted that the offshore energy workforce mix will change significantly over the next 10 years - as low-carbon energy roles increase from 20% to 65%.

The review - by Robert Gordon University - also indicates that more than 90% of the UK's oil and gas workforce have medium to high skills transferability, and are well-positioned to work in adjacent energy sectors.

It is claimed that the opportunities for the UK energy supply chain and for jobs are significant, with more than £170 billion of investment to be made in capital and operating activities in the UK offshore energy sector over the next 10 years.  

The review shows that about 200,000 skilled people are expected to be required in the UK offshore energy industry to ensure delivery in 2030.

However, it also highlights the consequences of not delivering the ambitions set by governments and industry and the associated impact on jobs. 

The review calls for the UK and the devolved Governments to work together with the offshore energy industry and further and higher education sector to ensure the managed transition of skills and experience in a way that protects and sustains key UK energy jobs. 

Professor Paul de Leeuw, director of the Energy Transition Institute at Robert Gordon University and the review’s lead author, said: "This review highlights the material prize for the UK.

"Successful delivery of the UK and the devolved government's energy transition ambitions has the opportunity to secure around 200,000 jobs in 2030 for the offshore energy workforce.

"With the overall number of jobs in the UK oil and gas industry projected to decline over time, the degree of transferability of jobs to adjacent energy sectors such as offshore wind, carbon capture and storage, hydrogen or other industrial sectors will be key to ensuring the UK retains its world-class skills and capabilities.

"With many of the skills and competencies required for the offshore energy sector to be highly interchangeable, the energy transition offers a unique opportunity to create a new world-class net zero energy workforce.

"The workforce transferability model developed as part of the review enables new insights on the workforce implications for a wide range of scenarios on how to ensure a just and fair transition.

"The model can also provide real-time insights on future workforce requirements and the job and transferability impact of specific investments or policy decisions.

"There is a significant role for the higher education sector to play in ensuring the targets set out by governments and industry are achieved and that the upskilling and reskilling of the workforce is delivered to meet the demands of the changing energy landscape."

Alix Thom, OGUK workforce and skills manager, said: "Today’s report from Robert Gordon University recognises the positive impact our industry’s transition to net zero will have on our people, their jobs, and the energy communities across the UK. 

"Within our workforce exists the skills and expertise to deliver the solutions we need to make our net zero ambitions a reality. We welcome RGU’s findings today, showing that the overwhelming majority of roles within our industry are well positioned to transfer into adjacent lower carbon roles if necessary action is taken.

"Many companies in our industry are already active in renewable energy, and this report confirms that our changing industry will continue to support jobs in communities across the UK for many years to come.

"With the signing of the groundbreaking North Sea Transition Deal in March this year, our industry has an ambitious plan with government to ensure our workforce and supply chain will not be left behind as we transit to a lower carbon energy mix.

"We echo RGU’s calls for a continued focus and collaborative working between all relevant stakeholders, to ensure our industry can play its vital role in the future of energy."