Question reference: S5W-36175
- Asked by: Elaine Smith, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 11 March 2021
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Current status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 23 March 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will take steps to ensure that the (a) Energy Skills Alliance and (b) Scottish Offshore Wind Energy Council’s Skills Group assess Scotland’s ability to supply trained seafarers to meet increased demand from the offshore renewable energy supply chain.
Answer
My officials are in regular contact with Skills Development Scotland although, as I understand it, there are no immediate, live concerns around Scotland’s ability to meet future demand for seafarers, but I agree this is something that would be important to keep under review.
The Scottish Offshore Wind Energy Council’s (SOWEC) Skills Group is led by Jim Brown, Director of Energy Skills Partnership, who has a wealth of expertise and invaluable knowledge of the key skills specific issues in Scotland. One of the Skills Group’s areas of focus at SOWEC meetings has been, and will undoubtedly continue to be, understanding the Skills demand in Scotland and, moreover, how colleges and the sector-at-large can best meet this demand. Energy Skills Partnership is also a member of the Energy Skills Alliance and the Offshore Wind Industry Council’s Investment in Talent Group.
I am aware that the Energy Skills Partnership has established a Marine and Maritime Training Network to consider this issue and I would encourage the sector to engage with our Skills Agencies and SOWEC to ensure that it receives appropriate coverage.