Ed Miliband denies ignoring oil and gas sector as he visits Aberdeen

Miliband announced a new “skills passport”, a digital tool for workers who want to transition from oil and gas to renewables, was set to be piloted by January 2025.

Overseen by industry bodies RenewableUK and Offshore EnergiesUK, and supported by the UK and Scottish governments, it is designed to recognise transferable skills and qualifications and lay out career pathways.

Nine out of ten oil and gas workers have transferable skills for offshore renewable jobs, according to research from Offshore Energies UK.

Miliband emphasised that the Labour government was “determined to stand with communities and workers to take advantage of the huge opportunities”.

Gillian Martin, Scotland’s acting net zero and energy secretary said her government had provided funding of £3.7m between 2022 and 2024 for the development of the skills passport to ensure “no offshore energy workers are left behind”.

She added: “Scotland already has a strong pipeline of clean energy and supply chain opportunities, is at the forefront of floating offshore wind development, and has a depth of knowledge and experience on community and local energy.”