OPITO launches energy transition qualifications

OPTIO is the global safety and skills body for the energy industry.

The announcement marks a step towards creating the All Energy Apprenticeship, one of the goals of the ambitious North Sea Transition Deal’s Integrated People and Skills Strategy, which aims to support 40,000 jobs in the sector.

The new qualifications focus on developing the core skills that are ‘urgently needed’ to move towards a more integrated offshore energy system and workforce.

The four qualifications are introductory modules:

• Introduction to Wind Power
• Introduction to Hydrogen
• Introduction to CCUS
• Introduction to Oil & Gas

The development of the qualifications took place with the collaboration of the Energy Skills Alliance (ESA).

Stephen Marcos Jones, CEO of the Association of Consultancy and Engineering and ESA lead of the All-Energy Apprenticeship Workgroup, says: ‘These new qualifications have been developed in response to the challenge of providing an adaptable, safe and skilled energy workforce.

‘The collaboration and committed support provided from our industry stakeholders…is critical if we are to succeed in meeting future skills demand.’

The new units are being launched in two stages. They will initially be made available in the UK and Europe before being delivered across the rest of the world from early 2023.