Vital role for workforce
Special Report: Green Skills Conference. Comment: Murgo MacAngus, commercial and operations development director at Serimax
I was proud to have represented my company Serimax at The Scotsman’s Green Skills Conference, where we focused on the critical challenge of reskilling, upskilling, and retaining a workforce for the energy transition.
My key takeaway? The skills developed in oil and gas are a strong foundation that can be re-aligned to seize the opportunities of this transitional shift. The workforce – and, indeed, the energy companies themselves – have a vital role in embracing this change.
At Serimax, we’re committed to advancing welding technologies and ensuring our welding teams are equipped to meet the demands of the energy transition.
A key initiative in this effort is our involvement with the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport, which aims to create a global hub for renewable energy and innovation in the Highlands. This collaboration focuses on developing a skilled workforce ready to support the region’s growth in green energy sectors.
For the long term, attracting new employees and fostering generational growth are essential. Apprenticeships that begin now are crucial if we want to deploy a skilled workforce by 2029 to meet our net-zero 2030 goals – it’s a tight timeline that requires immediate action.
Collaboration was the recurring theme of the Green Skills conference, but action is now the key.
Predictability and commitment across the supply chain are vital to enable foundational local suppliers to invest in training for the future workforce. Without firm commitments, these partners lack the resources to prepare for “potential” opportunities, underscoring the need for cross-supply chain alignment.