A £63 billion government plan aims to retrain North Sea workers for long-term careers in offshore wind, hydrogen, carbon capture, and other growing green industries.
The UK’s new North Sea Future Plan outlines major opportunities for sustainable, long-term employment as the region transitions from declining oil and gas to clean energy. With more than 70,000 jobs lost in the past decade, the plan focuses on creating new roles for North Sea workers in offshore wind, hydrogen, carbon capture, advanced manufacturing, and defence.
A new North Sea Jobs Service will provide tailored career support, retraining, and job placement to help workers move into these expanding sectors. With a record government investment of £63 billion for clean energy and billions more for hydrogen, carbon capture, and offshore wind to further accelerate this shift.
Transitional Energy Certificates will allow limited production from existing fields, helping safeguard jobs while ending new oil and gas exploration. A new Fair Work Charter will ensure that emerging green jobs offer strong rights and fair pay. Guided by an industry and union-led delivery board, the plan gives businesses and workers clear direction for the future.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the plan will ensure North Sea communities “continue to power our country for many decades to come.”