Engineering skills transfer key to industrial recovery claims report

The report - Skills Transferability in the Engineering Construction Industry – sheds light on the similarities in skills and competences of engineers in the many sectors that support Britain’s energy and processing infrastructure, from renewables to oil and gas, nuclear and pharmaceuticals. It also identifies barriers to skills transferability, such as ingrained workplace attitudes and recruitment practices that compartmentalise trades and occupations unnecessarily and place unhelpful restriction on the mobility of workers.

With the most severe economic impact from Covid-19 felt in the oil and gas industry – a sector already under pressure - the ECITB asserts that with proper planning and coordination, the pandemic presents an opportunity to accelerate transition to a carbon-free economy. It warns however that failure to act quickly, risk the loss of thousands of engineers who have the requisite skills to deliver decarbonisation.

In response, the ECITB is calling on the UK, Welsh and Scottish governments to put in place measures to support the reskilling of oil and gas workers for jobs in other sectors and industries to support the transition away from fossil fuels.