Page 10 - Gi_November2020

management & education news

MORE THAN 80% OF UK OIL WORKERS CONSIDER

LEAVING THE INDUSTRY, FINDS REPORT

Of those surveyed in this new report,
43 per cent said they had been made
redundant or furloughed since March.
It comes as talks are advancing on
a North Sea Transition Deal from the
UK government to support the sector,
which the Oil and Gas Authority has
said is hoped to be delivered by the
year’s end.
However, the climate groups said this
deal has “no vehicle for consulting oil
and gas workers”.
The study highlighted that 91 per
cent of respondents had not heard the
MANY OIL AND GAS WORKERS WOULD term “just transition”, referring to areas
CONSIDER SWITCHING SECTORS like renewables and decommissioning
providing sustainable jobs as the sector
MORE THAN 80 per cent of UK oil and in five (81 per cent) would consider gradually moves away from fossil fuels.
gas workers are considering leaving switching to another sector. One respondent said: “I just think
the industry, according to a new report According to Energy Voice, job it’s a better work environment out of
from climate action groups. security, low morale and fears their the oil and gas industry. It’s always
Platform, Friends of the Earth community is becoming a “wasteland boom and bust to some degree but the
Scotland and Greenpeace surveyed region” were among the main concerns last five years have not been a pleasant
1,383 offshore workers – 4.5 per cent of cited, along with “barriers” to entry into environment to work in – that’s five
the overall workforce – and found four renewables. years of mental toil.”

NEW BEIS TRAINING PROVIDER FUNDING TO A maximum of £1 million will be
UPSKILL TRADES FOR GREEN HOMES GRANT made available for each applicant or
project, subject to state aid restrictions.
It is hoped the funding could result
A NEW ARMY of experts will be tradespeople will be needed. in up to 5,000 training opportunities.
trained up to deliver the government’s The competition will be open to Simon Ayers, Chief Executive of
Green Homes Grant scheme to make UK based training providers who can Trustmark, said about the skills
600,000 households in England show previous relevant experience in competition: “This is an opportunity
energy efficient for the winter. delivering training in the field, with for training providers to take advantage
Heating Ventilating & Plumbing training programmes to be delivered of the scheme and play a key role in
(HVP) magazine reports that the in England. ensuring the tradespeople carrying out
Department for Business, Energy & Applications should provide training the works are supported and equipped
Industrial Strategy has launched a in some or all of the following: as they prepare to rise to the challenge
£6.9 million grant, the Green Homes Skills training in the installation of to develop their skills and services to
Grant Skills Competition, for training individual energy efficiency and/ the required standards.
organisations to help get tradespeople or low carbon heating measures “The Green Homes Grant Voucher
equipped and professionally trained supported by the voucher scheme Scheme is the kickstart the industry
to deliver the initiative, which – including training to individuals needs to help the UK reach the target
launched on 30 September. with existing skills, and training to of net zero by 2050 and through
The Green Homes Grant scheme those new to the sector collaboration we can increase the
allows homeowners and landlords Support and training for installation number of skilled tradespeople and
to apply for vouchers to contribute companies to gain required technicians, move past the impact
to the cost of energy-saving home PAS 2030 or MCS certification, of the coronavirus pandemic, and
improvements – up to £5,000 for (including possible contribution to support the scheme that will allow
most homeowners, or £10,000 for low certification costs) property owners to pay for energy
income households. Training in wider whole house efficiency improvements, that will
With an expected increase in the retrofit knowledge and awareness not only cut energy bills but will
amount of home energy retrofitting (covering wider issues such also create and support thousands
and low carbon heat installation as building physics, moisture, of jobs whilst addressing the climate
because of the scheme, more skilled ventilation, cold-bridging, etc). emergency the world is facing.”

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