Oil and Gas Workers Offered Cash to Retrain for Clean Energy Jobs
Published · 4 min read
Ministers set out a plan to build a future clean energy workforce. Unions welcome the move, but call for more investment and stronger rights. The UK has launched a new plan to grow the clean energy workforce. It focuses on people now working in oil and gas. Their jobs are shrinking as the industry declines. At least 40,000 of the current 115,000 roles could go by the early 2030s.
Ministers say many skills can transfer fast. Most workers need only a few months of extra training. The plan offers money for training and guidance so people can switch quickly.
- New funding: Up to £18m from the UK and Scottish governments to help oil and gas workers retrain.
- Total support mentioned elsewhere: Up to £20m in combined training help for these workers.
- Goal: Create about 400,000 extra clean energy jobs by 2030.
- Wider aim: Double clean energy jobs to about 860,000 by 2030.
How the Plan Works
The government will set up five Technical Excellence Colleges. They will train people for the clean energy economy. There are 31 priority occupations, including plumbers, electricians, welders, and more. The plan also funds pilots in Cheshire, Lincolnshire, and Pembrokeshire with £2.5m for training centres, courses, and career advisers.
New “skills passports” will map existing qualifications to clean energy roles. Workers won’t need to repeat training they’ve already done.
Priority Jobs and Estimated Needs
| Occupation (Priority) | Extra Workers Needed by 2030 | Where They’ll Work |
| Plumbers & Heating/Ventilation Installers | ~8,000–10,000 | Heat pumps, district heat, efficiency upgrades |
| Electricians | ~4,000–8,500 | Grid upgrades, solar, EV charging |
| Welders | ~4,000–8,500 | Offshore wind, hydrogen, CCS |
| Carpenters | ~4,000–8,500 | Factory-built components, site assembly |
| Technicians & Fitters | Thousands | Turbine assembly, nuclear, battery sites |
Why This Matters Now
The UK wants a largely decarbonized power system by 2030. That target needs people with the right skills. Demand is rising in solar, wind, nuclear, carbon capture, and hydrogen. Without action, the skills gap could slow projects and raise costs.
Some trained workers have been leaving the UK for roles abroad. The plan aims to keep that talent here, and to guide new entrants into good jobs.
Projected Pay and Job Quality
| Sector | Typical Advertised Salary | Notes |
| Wind, Nuclear, Electricity Networks | £50,000+ | Above UK average of ~£37,000 |
| Broader Clean Energy | Varies by role | Public funding linked to fair pay and protections |
Regional Impact
New jobs will spread across coastal and post-industrial areas. Many sites sit near offshore wind farms and North Sea carbon storage fields.
| Region | Added Direct Jobs (Forecast) | Key Drivers |
| Scotland | ~35,000 | Offshore wind, hydrogen, CCS |
| East of England | ~55,000 | Offshore wind, grid links, ports |
| North West | ~50,000 | Nuclear, manufacturing, networks |
What Unions and Experts Say
Unions back the plan’s direction. They also urge more public investment and a stronger domestic supply chain. Training without projects won’t create lasting jobs.
- Unite calls for “well-paid, secure work” at the heart of the transition.
- GMB supports a jobs-first approach with a clear industrial strategy.
- Experts say the plan is fresh and joined-up. But they warn: “You can’t train people for jobs that aren’t there.”
Worker Rights and Access
The plan links public funding to fair pay and strong protections. It also seeks to close a loophole at sea. Today, oil and gas workers in UK waters get certain protections, like the minimum wage. Some offshore clean energy workers don’t. Ministers say they will fix this gap.
There’s also support for people who need a path in. New schemes will help veterans, ex-offenders, school leavers, and the unemployed enter clean energy work.
Investment Signals
The plan sits within a bigger investment push. The government has set a goal to more than double current clean energy investment by 2035. The aim is to exceed £30 billion a year across renewables, nuclear, networks, and industries that support them.
Leaders argue this will cut bills over time. It will also boost energy security and reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels.
The Bottom Line
This plan tries to match people to projects. It offers money, training, and clear signals to colleges and industry. It targets key trades and regions. It also promises better rights offshore.
But success needs more than classrooms. It needs steady investment, strong supply chains, and real projects that hire at scale. If those arrive, the UK can grow a skilled, home-grown clean energy workforce. If not, workers may look elsewhere, and momentum could stall.
