New qualifications mark step towards the energy workforce of the future

As we enter a new year, the need to move at pace towards a more integrated energy system and workforce is of huge importance if we are to turn the ambition of decarbonisation and the green economy into a reality.

Balancing net zero with energy security is a huge and exciting prospect, but we need to put our people front and centre of this goal. It’s vital we develop the skills needed in oil and gas, offshore wind, carbon capture and storage, and hydrogen, to prepare and empower the workforce of the future.

OPITO, the global safety and skills body for the energy industry, is leading the development of the North Sea Transition Deal’s Integrated People and Skills Strategy (PSS), which aims to support 40,000 jobs in the sector.

Our recently launched energy transition qualifications mark an important step, and a genuine contribution, towards creating the pioneering All Energy Apprenticeship – one of the goals of the PSS – and specifically in meeting the requirements of the future skills demand action plan.

The four introductory qualifications cover the key areas of the energy sector and the major transition pathways: wind power, hydrogen, CCUS and oil and gas.

Together they will provide a knowledge-based introduction to the emerging energy transition specialisms for trainee technicians, existing technicians and others looking to up-skill and gain an understanding of emerging energy sectors.

Underlying our commitment to providing the optimum skills, training and standards that will accelerate the transition to a secure, sustainable and safe integrated energy system, the new units will prepare existing apprentices and energy professionals with recognised, credit-rated qualifications.

The development of this innovative suite of qualifications took place with the collaboration of the Energy Skills Alliance (ESA) – the cross-industry working group which is working to develop a compelling all-energy career proposition.

So, as we enter 2023, we are a step closer to the integrated energy workforce of the future, and you can be part of this safe, skilled and collaborative culture that will enrich us all in terms of sustainability, common standards and efficiency.

The qualifications can be delivered through OPITO’s extensive global network of training centres which already train over 400,000 people every year to the standards set by OPITO.

By Alex Spencer, Director of Operations at OPITO