OPITO's Manifesto to Empower Tomorrow
Our CEO, Stephen Marcos Jones, urges all parties to champion the critical role of the energy workforce in achieving the UK’s net zero ambitions in OPITO’s skills manifesto.
As the global, not-for-profit skills and standards body for the energy industry, OPITO works closely with governments, regulators, trade unions, trade associations and other pan-sector organisations to design and implement skills enhancement programmes across the sector.
The UK is a world-leader in renewable energy, and we know the net zero transition will be one of the dominant labour market trends in the country over the next 30 years.
The multi-disciplinary nature of the current offshore workforce will play a crucial role, with 90% of the UK’s oil and gas workforce having the transferrable skills to move into adjacent energy sectors.
This doesn’t just consider skills from a technician or engineering perspective, but across all business areas, from people management to leadership and new digital skills and includes all roles both on and offshore.
A carefully managed transition, supported by a stable policy regime, is essential for the current workforce to unlock the potential of the energy transition and to allow the UK to remain at the forefront of energy safety and competence and attract global investment.
Our asks focus on action to ensure the industry is ready to evolve and the workforce remains adaptable and skilled:
A national skills strategy
The creation of a unified and cohesive National Skills Strategy for the energy industry will help shape the country’s economic future, ensuring that individuals and businesses have the skills they need to thrive. The government must demonstrate leadership and stability to foster a collaborative dynamic within industry and provide assurance of long-term investments.
Actions over words
Active government involvement helps create a stable, innovative and resilient industrial and economic landscape, benefiting the entirety of the energy industry.
Addressing the skills shortage
Bridging the skills gap requires a multi-faceted approach, including clearly defining job requirements, offering training and development opportunities, building relationships with educational institutions, nurturing transferable skills and embracing the use of emerging technologies. Further government incentives are required to reverse the decline in employer investment in training.
Championing social mobility
The government must continue to vocalise its support for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education to ensure critical energy career paths are available.
Fuelling future demand
We are calling for adequately funded apprenticeships to ensure a diverse range of people can access quality training, regardless of their background. This will help alleviate skills shortages currently being faced across the energy industry.
Ensuring stability
The impact of a stable and considered energy policy is vital to influence economic growth, environmental protection, social equity, and technological innovation. The government must provide a clear and stable future policy direction to 2030 and beyond to ensure sector alignment and establish boundaries.
Skills foster innovation. Achieving the key asks set out within our manifesto will lead to a highly competent, adaptable energy workforce to drive economic growth, social mobility, and competitiveness for the future energy system.
