To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the National Transition Training Fund, in regard to its net zero ambitions.
In 2020/21 the key focus of the National Transition Training Fund (NTTF) was supporting those individuals and sectors affected by the economic impact of Covid-19. As part of this, a number of projects offered support for skills needs linked to the transition to net zero. This included wind turbine safety training, green construction provided through the Construction Scotland Innovation Centre, and heat in buildings training such as the installation of heat pumps. Delivery of the Year One projects continues in colleges and universities until the end of the academic year and we will report on the training provided and its outcomes when the full year’s data is available.
In Year Two, NTTF has a broadened remit to address the economic impact of both Covid-19 and Brexit and also to support emerging skills needs to support the transition to net zero.
Of the initial 25 projects in Year Two announced by the First Minister on June 16 2021, a number will support transition, with details set out in the following table:-
Project | Sector | Brief outline of provision |
Aerospace Diversification Scottish Enterprise | Aerospace/ manufacturing | A continuation / extension of Year 1 NTTF grant programme This funding delivers company specific projects brought forward by aerospace businesses to undertake workforce training to secure employment, build the capabilities of their existing workforce and enable the business to target adjacent and alternative markets. |
Construction Scotland Innovation Centre Skills for a Low Carbon Future | Construction | Expansion of current NTTF programme of Passivhaus training to cover retrofit systems that will enable low carbon techniques to be applied in the upgrading of existing building stock to train people in Passivhaus and retrofitting techniques and technologies. |
Energy Skills Partnership | Engineering/Construction | Building on Year 1 projects, a menu of specialist courses enabling qualification in energy/engineering skills to support the transition to net zero. |
Green Jobs Fund – Upskilling and retraining | Various / Green | This project will make training support available to businesses successful in bidding to the Scottish Government’s Green Jobs Fund. It will also be used to support the implementation of training required through the Green Jobs Workforce Academy, a key action in the Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan. |
Historic Environment Scotland | Construction/Green | To upskill and reskill individuals in construction skills that support their employability need and the regeneration, maintenance, energy efficiency and retrofit of pre-1919 buildings. |
Fast Track Forest Machine Operator (FMO) & Timber Haulage Operator Familiarisation | Forestry | Fast Track Forestry is a short training programme (8 to 12 weeks) that fast-tracks new entrants and gives them skills to allow them to gain employment as an FMO. Timber Haulage Operator is a 4-day intensive course to support hauliers to develop the specialist skills needed for Forestry haulage to allow them to gain employment in this specialist area. |