Photo by Killian Murphy
The UK government has announced plans to require offshore wind developers to fund local skills training programmes as part of a sweeping new Fair Work Charter designed to ensure the clean energy transition delivers high-quality, unionised jobs across Britain’s coastal communities.
Mandatory training investment
Under proposals outlined by Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, companies bidding for offshore wind projects in the 2026 Allocation Round 8 (AR8) will be required to either contribute to a skills fund or spend a minimum amount on local workforce development. This could include funding for education schemes, training facilities, equipment, apprenticeships, work experience placements, and internships.
The initiative specifically targets support for oil and gas workers transitioning to renewables, as well as creating entry pathways for apprentices and school leavers. Research shows that 90% of oil and gas workers possess transferrable skills suitable for offshore renewables, though structured retraining programmes are essential for successful transitions.
Economic impact and job creation
The Celtic Sea wind developments alone could support more than 5,000 jobs and deliver a £1.4 billion economic boost, according to Crown Estate research. Industry estimates suggest offshore wind salaries are approximately £10,000 above the UK national average, with the sector projected to support up to 100,000 jobs nationwide.
The proposals also include extending the Clean Industry Bonus scheme to onshore wind, potentially supporting up to 45,000 additional jobs by 2030 as the government seeks to reverse the sector’s stagnation following England’s effective moratorium since 2015.
Trade union support
The Fair Work Charter has received backing from major trade unions, who view it as essential for protecting worker rights during the energy transition. UNISON General Secretary Christina McAnea said the initiative “offers a chance to boost skills across the energy sector, create and protect well-paid jobs, and support the renewal of coastal communities and industrial regions.”
RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey welcomed the commitments to trade union recognition and pro-worker standards, stating: “This ensures that oil and gas workers are not being left behind.”
Addressing workforce challenges
The offshore wind industry faces significant demographic challenges, with workers over 40 comprising a large portion of the oil and gas sector workforce and those over 60 accounting for nearly one in five workers. By contrast, only 12% of the current energy workforce is under 30.
Some developers are already taking action. Ocean Winds has invested £100,000 in welding training programmes, while RWE has expanded its wind turbine technician apprenticeship scheme through its £13 million Rhyl Engineering Centre.
However, industry experts warn that attracting young talent alone will not bridge the skills gap. The Engineering Construction Industry Training Board has emphasised that early engagement with children, long before university age, is crucial for building the renewable energy workforce of the future.
Clean industry bonus expansion
The requirements will be implemented through the existing Clean Industry Bonus scheme, which provides additional funding to developers that establish manufacturing facilities in disadvantaged regions or commit to sustainable supply chains. The consultation will also examine extending this bonus to onshore wind projects, supporting the government’s first-ever onshore wind strategy launched earlier this year.
“Britain’s clean energy future will be powered by secure, unionised jobs for local people right across the country – from East Anglia to Teesside and Aberdeen,” said Miliband. “We’re backing businesses that invest in working people in these communities, securing a route to long-term careers for oil and gas workers, apprentices and school leavers.”
The proposals represent a significant shift towards ensuring the renewable energy transition delivers tangible benefits for local communities whilst building the skilled workforce necessary to achieve the UK’s net-zero ambitions. The measures are expected to be finalised ahead of the UK’s first Clean Energy Workforce Strategy, reinforcing the government’s commitment to making renewable energy jobs both widely available and consistently high-quality.