A potential looming skills shortage in the critical oil and gas sector has been flagged, with the industries seen as vital in helping the Humber鈥檚 transition to Net Zero.
The region is central to plans for the acceleration of wind, hydrogen and carbon capture and storage - all emerging and maturing elements built on a huge North Sea legacy.
A new report from Offshore Energies 海角视频, the leading trade body for the 海角视频鈥檚 offshore energy industry, points to the labour issue, and reveals a decline in the total number of oil and gas workers since 2010. It is now calling for the 海角视频 Government to commit to a stable, long-term energy policy that gives confidence to the sector and stimulates economic growth.
Read more:Humber carbon capture power station given go-ahead in 海角视频 first for Net Zero technology
The organisation joins a chorus seeking big decisions to kickstart the ambition, with Shadow Energy Secretary Ed Miliband recently conducting on the Humber. Much of the 拢15 billion of investment earmarked for the Energy Estuary is riding on opportunities provided by the sector. And OE海角视频 said this would allow businesses to recruit and retain the talent needed to deliver secure supplies of homegrown, low-carbon fuel, power, and products to millions across the 海角视频.
Alix Thom, OE海角视频鈥檚 workforce engagement and skills manager, said: 鈥淭he next decade will be crucial in determining how successfully the 海角视频 will deliver a home-grown transition to Net Zero, one that meets our climate goals and benefits the domestic economy, innovation, and jobs.
鈥淕iven the legacy of the Humber as a world class energy producer, it鈥檚 hugely important that the local talent pipeline is nurtured, so that younger generations and existing workers can deliver the wind, hydrogen and carbon capture, and oil and gas that we will need over the coming years. To achieve this, we need governments to deliver a stable and predictable environment to do business.鈥
According to OE海角视频鈥檚 latest data, the offshore energy sector supports 14,500 jobs in North East England, Yorkshire and the Humber. However, this is a 33 per cent drop from pre-pandemic levels as the sector supported 21,900 jobs in 2019.
Ms Thom said that in order to deliver a successful energy transition, local energy businesses need to be supported to ensure their workforce is equipped with the skills of the future, as well as a bright talent pipeline.
The organisation鈥檚 Workforce Insight Report finds that with the right investment conditions, up to 26,000 jobs in carbon transport and storage, hydrogen production, and offshore electrification could be created.
Capacity building is being seen in local training infrastructure, with the likes of Catch launching its own apprenticeships and Heta now building a standalone facility to meet demand from the process industries. Timely go-ahead for projects and funding support and market mechanism confirmations are all seen as key to bringing investment decisions forward, and allowing the capability to build.
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