Scottish colleges are joining forces to train workers for the rapidly-developing energy sector.
Dundee College is leading the project, which has been awarded £300,000, and the partners include Angus College and Fife’s Carnegie College.
They already have a track record in teaching skills that the energy industry needs and the aims of the collaboration are to pool expertise and resources, avoid unnecessary duplication and aid the colleges in responding quickly to the changing requirements of employers.
The partnership will have a particular focus on renewable energy, but will also cover oil and gas, carbon capture and storage and power generation and transmission.
Dundee College principal Christina Potter said, “This is a very exciting strategic development and demonstrates the willingness and readiness of the college sector to work together in the best interests of Scotland and the national economy.
“Collectively we have valuable expertise and resources which, when put to use in a co-ordinated and collaborative fashion, will provide both an excellent service to industry and demonstrable public value.”
The Scottish Funding Council, which distributes public money to universities and colleges, is backing the project over the next three years.Global roleChairman John McClelland said, “We are working with Skills Development Scotland, the Sector Skills Councils, the STUC and industry bodies to take forward a national skills investment plan for the energy sector.”
The Scottish Government considers the energy sector to be one of the country’s key economic development priorities.
There is hope that Tayside and Fife will play a substantial role in developing renewable energy and having a supply of trained workers is expected to be critical in attracting investment.
Longannet power station in Fife has been put forward as a site for carbon capture and storage and Dundee and Methil are trying to become hubs for the offshore wind industry.
Dundee harbour may also be the site of a biomass energy plant and a pair of wind turbines.
Professor Jim McDonald, chairman of the Scottish Energy Technology Partnership, said, “Scotland is poised to become a world-leader in low carbon and renewable energy technologies including offshore wind, marine, carbon capture and smart-grids.
“It is now critical that we develop our people with the skills required to meet our energy ambitions and act as the basis of a new, 21st century industry hub.”