Monday 15 November 2010

Scottish Highlands faces energy skills’ crisis

Energy firms in the Highlands of Scotland are braced for a skills shortage in the next 12 months.

A survey by the North Scotland Industries Group (NSIG) revealed that 54% of energy and engineering businesses in the Highlands and islands believe they will face a skills shortage in the next year.

NSIG is so concerned about the skills' crisis that it has set up a forum to attract school-leavers to energy and engineering jobs. Forum members include the University of the Highlands and Islands, Job CentrePlus, and Skills Development Scotland.

NSIG is also to set up a training providers' database on its website which is intended to help the oil, gas and renewable energy sectors meet their skills and training requirements.

NSIG chief executive Ian Couper said: "The energy industry in the Highlands and islands is witnessing a worrying decline in job capability as well as a trained workforce. In order to address this issue, it is vital that we target the next generation of skilled workers from an early age and engage with youngsters to ensure the industry has a constant flow of new recruits."