Hundreds To Benefit From Energy Challenge Fund

30th October 2012

£2 million training fund will support energy employers' skills needs.

More than 700 newcomers to Scotland's energy industry are to receive essential skills and training thanks to a £2 million funding boost.

The Energy Challenge Fund, managed on behalf of the Scottish Government by Skills Development Scotland (SDS), will enable new entrants into Scotland's burgeoning energy sector to pick up qualifications necessary for working in renewables, oil and gas, subsea and micro-renewables.

A total of nine providers from across Scotland have received funding to develop tailored courses designed to fast-track people into the sector, helping people make their existing skills relevant to the energy sector. It will also help new graduates or school-leavers fill energy-related vacancies in the sector by providing courses in essential disciplines such as diving and offshore safety.

The courses, most of which will start early next year, are just the start with the fund expected to ultimately support more than 1000 flexible training places.

Announcing the full list of successful bids, Damien Yeates, Chief Executive of Skills Development Scotland (SDS) said:"We know we can expect big demand for skilled workers in our energy and low carbon sector over the coming months and years. The only way we will be able to maximise the opportunities that present themselves is if we provide the kind of training the industry demands.
"The type of shorter, more flexible sector-specific training supported by the fund will help Scotland's energy industry to grow in strength and productivity and set individuals up for long and successful careers."

"The successful bidders will focus on delivering training solutions to help Scotland's energy industry to grow in strength and productivity, providing significant support to match employer's training demands and skills requirements."

Energy Minister Fergus Ewing MSP added:"The Scottish Government has responded directly to the needs of industry with the development of this Fund, which has been designed to deliver practical solutions to the skill challenges faced by the sector and will focus specifically on transition training, enabling entrants with associated experience and generalist qualifications to enter the energy sector."

The fund builds on the Scottish Government's on-going commitment to fund 500 Modern Apprenticeship starts in the energy and low carbon sectors every year until 2014.
The Energy Challenge Fund is aligned to SDS's Energy Skills Investment Plan, published last March. It sets out ambitious proposals which have already supported initiatives such as the Nigg Skills Academy, and the Low Carbon Skills Fund.

Further information is available on the Skills Development Scotland website:
www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk