Wind developers to pay for skills training

Photo: Siemens Gamesa

A ‘Fair Work Charter’ — established by work undertaken with Unions and businesses — has set out in proposals that will require offshore wind developers to pay into a skills fund or spend a minimum amount on skills training in their local communities to support oil and gas workers, apprentices or school leavers move into the UK’s growing offshore wind industry, with skills training provided through education schemes, training facilities, new equipment, or work experience and internships.

The proposals are aimed at encouraging developers and supply chain firms to create more high-quality, secure jobs in offshore wind, with better access to trade unions and stronger protections on pay and terms and conditions. This could include a commitment to a ‘Fair Worker Charter’ co-developed between industry and trade unions.

As the UK reaches its ‘clean power mission’ by 2030, it has been estimated that offshore wind could support up to 100,000 jobs, with many of these outside of London in coastal and rural parts of the country. Moreover, industry estimates show that a typical salary for an offshore wind worker is £10,000 higher than the UK average; also that 90% of the UK’s oil and gas workforce having skills that are transferrable to offshore renewables.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “Britain’s clean energy future will be powered by secure, unionised jobs for local people right across the country. We are backing businesses that invest in working people in these communities, securing a route to long-term careers for oil and gas workers, apprentices and school leavers.

Clean. homegrown energy
Christina McAnea, Unison’s general secretary, said: “Clean, homegrown energy is vital to Britain’s future growth and to tackling climate change. A highly skilled, fairly paid and secure clean energy workforce is essential to achieving these goals. Unison has long argued that the Government needs to invest in retraining existing energy workers so their skills and experience can be transferred to clean-energy jobs.

“Furthermore, investment in apprenticeships and opportunities for young people is crucial in building the workforce of tomorrow. This initiative offers a chance to boost skills across the energy sector, create and protect well-paid jobs, and support the renewal of coastal communities and industrial regions. Working together under a Fair Work Charter — comprising unions, the Government, and business — can deliver growth and stronger protection for workers.”

Earlier this year, the Government allocated up to £544 million (at 2025 prices) through the scheme for offshore wind and partnered with Great British Energy (the UK’s publicly owned clean power company) alongside industry and The Crown Estate, to invest £1 billion in offshore wind supply chains. These reforms will be included in the Government’s renewables auction in 2026.