Over a fourth of employees in the oil and gas industry considering leaving the field, according to a recent survey
Oil and Gas Workers Anxious About Future as Sector Faces Transition
Amidst the dwindling reserves of the North Sea, workers in the oil and gas industry are expressing concerns about their future, according to Ruby Earle, worker transition lead at Platform.
A survey of over 400 oil and gas workers revealed that more than a quarter (26%) are considering leaving the sector. The survey also found that 83% of the workers levelled criticism towards the Scottish Government, while 95% expressed dissatisfaction with the support provided by the UK Government in helping them find alternative employment.
The survey, however, did not disclose the name of the organization that conducted the research project on worker satisfaction in the oil and gas industry.
The findings of the survey paint a grim picture of the sector's current state. Only 16% of the workers questioned were currently happy in their jobs, with about half (48%) stating that conditions have worsened in the past five years. Workers complained of poor morale, with one worker describing their treatment as "like dirt". Another worker highlighted the stagnant salaries over the past decade, stating that staff have taken the brunt of this rather than company executives.
The Scottish Government, in partnership with the UK Government, has launched a new oil and gas transition training fund. The fund supports eligible workers with funding for training to build skills for Scotland's evolving sustainable energy sectors. Scottish Climate Action and Energy Secretary Gillian Martin supports a just transition for Scotland's oil and gas sector.
The UK Government's initiatives, such as the 'skills passport' and training programs, aim to help oil and gas workers access clean energy jobs. The UK Government has also launched Great British Energy in Aberdeen, which has already announced £1 billion in domestic supply chains. The UK Government's Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has made the biggest investment in offshore wind and carbon capture.
In response to the workers' demands, 88% of the surveyed workers advocate for fully-funded retraining schemes to transition to another sector. Almost three-quarters (71%) of those surveyed said they would consider taking up a job in a different industry. The survey also found that 89% of workers want paid time-off for training.
The Scottish Government has invested £120 million in the north-east's transition to net zero to create green jobs and support innovation. This investment, along with the training fund, is aimed at providing a smoother transition for workers in the oil and gas sector.
As the North Sea's oil and gas reserves dwindle and the industry faces transition, it is clear that the workers are anxious about what lies ahead. However, with initiatives from both the Scottish and UK Governments, there is hope for a just transition to a sustainable future.
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