Chamber and committees

Question reference: S5W-14675

Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 15 February 2018
Current status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 13 March 2018

Question

To ask the Scottish Government what initiatives it is putting in place to (a) provide and (b) fund System Applications Products (SAP) courses, exams and certificates for unemployed people wishing to return to work in the oil and gas industry.

Answer

The Transition Training Fund (TTF) was announced by the First Minister in February 2016. Its purpose is to support individuals who have lost, or are at risk of losing, their jobs in the oil and gas sector. The Fund provides support by offering grants to individuals to support redeployment through retraining and upskilling. It will also aim to help people with the costs of maintaining any licences needed to work in the sector. Whilst funding is not dependent on a secured job outcome, applicants seeking support will be required to demonstrate the following criteria:

That they are actively seeking alternative employment and have identified valid vacancies in a relevant sector; and that
They have identified specific retraining, up-skilling or certification requirements that will advance the pursuit of the identified opportunities.

One of TTF’s strengths is that the individuals are enabled to choose the relevant training, which can include System Application Products, that will aid individuals in securing employment in their chosen field. As at 20 February 2018, TTF has supported seven individuals undertaking System Application Products with UK providers, and the funding includes course fees, exams and certification.

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