Government-backed scheme to transition oil and gas workers opens
The pilot will help about 200 current or former workers in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire with support and funding for training courses, in a move energy minister Michael Shanks said would 'help deliver a fair and prosperous transition'.
Both Governments have pinpointed the north east as being crucial to the planned transition away from fossil fuels, with £900,000 made available by the UK Government and an additional £40,000 from the Scottish Government for the first raft of applicants.
But the Scottish Conservatives criticised the plans as 'frankly embarrassing', claiming the funding was not enough.
'Aberdeen has been the energy capital of Britain for decades and while oil and gas will be with us for decades to come, we are determined to make sure that workers are supported to access the thousands of jobs in industries such as offshore wind and carbon capture,' the energy minister said.
'This funding will help deliver a fair and prosperous transition in the North Sea, unlocking the full potential of renewable energy and reaping the economic benefits from the skills and experiences of Aberdeen's workforce.'
Scottish Tory net zero spokesman Douglas Lumsden said: 'It's frankly embarrassing that Labour and the SNP are boasting about this scheme.
'This support for 200 workers amounts to a drop in the ocean when compared to the projected 400 jobs a fortnight being lost thanks to their decimation of the oil and gas sector.
'Both parties shamefully opposed Rosebank and Cambo (oil fields) and have said they're against North Sea drilling altogether.
'This sector drives £14 billion into our economy and supports 83,000 jobs, but John Swinney and Keir Starmer have sold it down the river.'
But Scottish Secretary Ian Murray described the announcement as 'good news' for the area and the industry, claiming it will 'ensure there is a key role for our offshore workers in delivering our net zero future'.
And Scottish Energy Secretary Gillian Martin said: 'The north east of Scotland has long been a titan in the oil and gas industry and the expertise within our workforce must be at the heart of driving a just transition to new fuels and sustainable energy.
'This new oil and gas transition training fund will support offshore workers to take on roles in the sustainable energy sector and has been designed and developed by the Scottish Government, supported by funding from UK Government's regional skills pilot for Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, and will be delivered by Skills Development Scotland.
'Through initiatives such as the just transition fund and the energy transition fund, the Scottish Government has already invested £120 million in the north east's transition to net zero to help create green jobs, support innovation, and secure the highly skilled workforce of the future.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
7 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Hundreds of protesters gather in Scots cities for mass anti-Trump rallies as president golfs at luxury Turnberry resort
Angry campaigners turn out as the American leader enjoys a round of golf at his luxury Turnberry resort DON YER BIKE Hundreds of protesters gather in Scots cities for mass anti-Trump rallies as president golfs at luxury Turnberry resort Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HUNDREDS of protesters have gathered in Aberdeen and Edinburgh for mass anti-Trump rallies during the US President's visit to Scotland. Angry campaigners are listening to speeches and waving creative signs as the American leader enjoys a round of golf at his luxury Turnberry resort. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 8 Angry campaigners gathering in Aberdeen 8 An anti-Trump demonstrator holds a cut-out depicting the president Credit: Reuters 8 Protestors gather on the streets of Edinburgh Credit: Getty 8 Stop Trump Scotland protest at the Union Terrace Gardens in Aberdeen Credit: PA In Aberdeen, the group that gathered in the city centre were seen waving banners with anti-Trump slogans - with one demonstrator even dressed as the president with a large papier mache head. Some members of the crowd also showed their support for Palestine, waving Palestine flags. Many carried placards referring to the expletive slogan made infamous by late comedian Janey Godley during the president's 2018 visit. Mr Trump and staff were braced for the mass protests as the American leader displayed his skills on the Ailsa course this moring. He could be seen wearing a USA white baseball cap as he smiled and waved at news cameras. Earlier this morning a large number of police and military personnel were spotted searching the grounds at the resort where Mr Trump is staying. A high-profile security operation was in full swing, with police and others searching the area. Police also have road closures in place, with limited access for locals and members of the media. Last night Mr Trump was in high spirits as his Air Force One touched down at Prestwick. He landed in Scotland in party mood after revealing his plans for a trade deal celebration with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and First Minister John Swinney. Donald Trump tees off at luxury Turnberry course during Scots visit Mr Trump said: "We're going to do a little celebrating because we get along very well." He was welcomed by Scottish Secretary Ian Murray before being whisked to his luxury Turnberry resort 20 miles down the Ayrshire coast. He declared: "There's no place like Turnberry. It's the best course in the world." Villagers waved as the convoy passed through nearby Kirkoswald and later arrived at Turnberry at around 9.30pm. Mr Trump's vehicle passed a small group of protesters on the way to the hotel. Sources told The Scottish Sun protesters would have no chance of getting near Mr Trump despite fears they could storm the resort via the shore. 8 Donald Trump waves to reporters as he plays golf at his Trump Turnberry golf course 8 Trump takes a swing on the Ailsa course Credit: AP 8 One demonstrator even dressed as the president with a large papier mache head
Leader Live
12 minutes ago
- Leader Live
UK working with Jordan to air drop aid into Gaza, PM tells Macron and Merz
The Prime Minister held emergency talks with Emmanuel Macron and Friedrich Merz on Saturday amid mounting global anger at the humanitarian conditions in the enclave. In a readout of the call, Number 10 said the leaders had agreed 'it would be vital to ensure robust plans are in place to turn an urgently-needed ceasefire into lasting peace'. 'The Prime Minister set out how the UK will also be taking forward plans to work with partners such as Jordan to air drop aid and evacuate children requiring medical assistance,' a Downing Street spokesperson said. However, the head of the UN's Palestinian refugee agency warned airdrops were 'a distraction and a smokescreen' that would fail to reverse deepening starvation in Gaza, and could in some cases harm civilians. UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini said on Saturday: 'A man-made hunger can only be addressed by political will. Lift the siege, open the gates and guarantee safe movements and dignified access to people in need.' Israel said on Friday it will allow airdrops of aid by foreign countries into Gaza to alleviate starvation in the Palestinian territory, where there is widespread devastation. The readout made no mention of the issue of Palestinian statehood, which the Prime Minister has faced calls to immediately recognise after French President Mr Macron confirmed his country would do so in September. However, Downing Street said the leaders had committed to 'work closely together on a plan' to 'pave the way to a long-term solution and security in the region'. Once the proposals have been 'worked up', they will seek to advance them with other key partners, including in the region, the readout said. Some 221 MPs from Labour, the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, SNP, Greens, Plaid Cymru, SDLP and independents have signed a letter pressuring the Government to follow suit at a UN meeting next week. Donald Trump suggested Mr Macron's announcement, which saw him commit to formally recognising Palestinian sovereignty at the UN General Assembly in September, 'doesn't matter' as he left the US for a visit to Scotland. Sarah Champion, the senior Labour MP who organised the letter by parliamentarians, said recognition 'would send a powerful symbolic message that we support the rights of the Palestinian people'. Other senior Commons figures who signed the letter include Labour select committee chairs Liam Byrne, Dame Emily Thornberry and Ruth Cadbury. Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey, as well as Tory former minister Kit Malthouse, and Sir Edward Leigh – Parliament's longest-serving MP – also signed it. The majority of those who have signed, 131, are Labour MPs. The Government has so far said its immediate focus is on getting aid into the territory and insisted that recognising sovereignty must be done as part of a peace process. Charities operating in Gaza have said Israel's blockade and ongoing military offensive are pushing people there towards starvation, warning that they are seeing their own workers and Palestinians 'waste away'. The Prime Minister will meet the US president during his trip to Scotland, where he arrived on Friday evening. US-led peace talks in Qatar were cut short on Thursday, with Washington's special envoy Steve Witkoff accusing Hamas of a 'lack of desire to reach a ceasefire'. The deal under discussion is expected to include a 60-day ceasefire in which Hamas would release 10 living hostages and the remains of 18 others in phases in exchange for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. Aid supplies would be ramped up and the two sides would hold negotiations on a lasting truce.
The National
16 minutes ago
- The National
Protests start in Aberdeen amidst Donald Trump visit
PROTESTS against US president Donald Trump have started in Aberdeen with Scottish Greens MSPs in attendance. Demonstrators have gathered in Union Terrace Gardens with various placards, including several pointing out his previous friendship with disgraced paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. See some pictures from the protest below as Scots voice their anger over the president's four-day visit to his Turnberry and Menie estates. (Image: Nick Forbes/PA Wire) (Image: Nick Forbes/PA Wire) (Image: Nick Forbes/PA Wire)Scottish Greens MSP Maggie Chapman spoke at the demonstration, where she took a stance against Trump's comments on the genocide in Gaza and his general politics. "We say 'no' to the genocide in Palestine, and we say 'no' any politician who says that their politics has to be built on hate, has to be built on division, and has to be built on enriching the billionaires while the majority of the rest of the world starve', Chapman said. 'Not in our name. Never in our name. That is why we are here today.' Trump arrived at Prestwick Airport on Friday evening before heading to the Turnberry estate in South Ayrshire. He is expected to visit his Menie estate before opening a new course dedicated to his mother, Mary Anne Macleod, who was raised on the Isle of Lewis. READ MORE: Trump International to receive £180k from Scottish Government for tournament Lewis residents have also taken a stance against the convicted felon, with vintage and home décor store Lewis Revival displaying a banner reading 'Shame on you, Donald John', signed by locals and tourists alike. The business, based just miles away from his mother's birthplace, previously displayed the banner in March after Trump's meeting with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, though it was subsequently removed by the local council. Elsewhere, protests have started in Edinburgh outside of the US Consulate. Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie and MSP Ross Greer are set to attend the demonstration in the capital, after the party issued fresh calls for Trump's finances to be investigated by the Scottish Government through an Unexplained Wealth Order.
