MOVEMENT from oil and gas to sources of renewable energy ‘is happening’ according to the Scottish Government’s acting minister for climate change.
And he believes the government needs to work with businesses and education institutions to make sure the workforce has the right skills in place.
Dr Alasdair Allan MSP visited Dumfries and Galloway College last Friday to view some of their students’ work.
The college’s Net Zero Centre is currently equipping learners with the skills they need to succeed in the sector.
Some 700 students have gained qualifications to date and 250 are currently engaged in courses which range from heat pumps to wind turbine, and solar PV to electric vehicle charging.
The minister discussed career ambitions with those in the middle of courses and even tried his hand at some augmented reality welding.
Speaking to the Dumfries Courier, he said: “There’s clearly a demand amongst young people in particular for training and the skills that Scotland’s going to need in the future to make sure that we capture the potential for generating renewable energy.
“But also there’s clearly a demand to fill our houses with clean heating systems.
“It was interesting speaking to the students who are learning everything from welding, to how to fit a heat pump and how to maintain a wind turbine.
“Young people know these are skills they’ll need for the future.
“I think already there is a kind of collection of institutions based around here (with a focus on renewables) and I’ve every confidence that will grow in the future as demand for these courses grows.”
College principal Joanna Campbell added: “As a college we took the decision that we had to be pro-active in designing courses that met the new demands of the world we live in, and help our young people to develop the skills to enter net zero employment.
“There are already significant career opportunities in various areas related to net zero in our region, and there are more emerging each year.
“We are very proud that the college and the Dumfries and Galloway region is leading the way.”
DGC has set an ambitious target to become net zero by 2030. A climate change action plan has been developed which they say will help them work towards the goal.
And even with recent news confirming that oil and gas giant BP is to slash investment into renewables and ramp up the funds into fossil fuels, Dr Allan believes green energy will eventually end up taking centre stage.
Dr Allan said: “There’s no doubt that oil and gas will continue to be important in the next few years for Scotland, there’s no two ways about that in terms of Scotland’s economy.
“But the Scottish Government has made clear our view that when the UK Government licenses new oil fields then they should be subjected to an economic test but also to an environmental test.
“The fact of the matter is the North Sea basin is maturing, so, regardless of what the policy of the Scottish Government is on renewables, that change is happening, that movement from oil and gas to renewables is happening.
“The task we have is to make sure the skills are out there to facilitate it.”
