Scotland’s Energy Future and the Changing Offshore Landscape

Scotland has long been powered by its people. From the platforms of the North Sea to the growing wind farms along the coast, the nation’s offshore workforce has led global standards in safety, innovation and engineering.

Now, that same workforce is at the centre of a major new opportunity. An £18 million investment in the Oil and Gas Transition Training Fund has been announced by the Scottish and UK Governments to help offshore professionals access new training, career advice and upskilling support for roles in the sustainable energy sector.

The message is simple: the skills developed in oil and gas remain vital – they are not being replaced, they are being redeployed to drive the next generation of offshore energy.

A Transition Built on Experience

Oil and gas professionals have built careers in some of the most complex and challenging environments in the world. The same safety culture, operational discipline and technical knowledge that underpin offshore production are exactly what the renewables sector depends on today.

This new funding helps ensure those skills continue to shape the energy future. It supports workers to expand their capabilities, not abandon them, creating a more adaptable workforce that can move confidently between sectors.

At Stream Marine Training (SMT), we see this as evolution, not change for change’s sake. Offshore training is our foundation – and it always will be.

OPITO: Still at the Core of Offshore Training

The Oil and Gas Transition Training Fund does not signal the end of traditional offshore training. In fact, it highlights just how valuable OPITO-certified professionals are.

Courses like BOSIET (Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training), FOET (Further Offshore Emergency Training) and MIST (Minimum Industry Safety Training) remain essential for offshore work across energy sectors.

These qualifications represent the gold standard of offshore safety and emergency preparedness. They are as relevant on wind installations and hybrid vessels as they are on oil platforms.

At SMT, OPITO training continues to be one of the largest areas of investment and delivery. Our instructors are industry veterans who bring both offshore and renewables experience into every session, giving trainees the broadest possible perspective on where their skills can take them.

GWO: Expanding the Skillset

As the offshore wind industry expands, GWO (Global Wind Organisation) training has become an important addition to many professionals’ qualifications. For those with OPITO backgrounds, GWO courses are a natural next step – not a replacement.

SMT’s GWO Basic Safety Training package covers working at height, sea survival, fire awareness, first aid and manual handling. Together, these modules give technicians and marine crew the competence to work safely in the growing wind energy sector.

The beauty of this crossover is clear: one set of core safety principles, two complementary training paths, and endless career flexibility.

A United Offshore Workforce

This £18 million funding boost supports a workforce that is already world-class. It helps oil and gas professionals gain additional qualifications and explore new opportunities without losing sight of where their expertise began.

Both governments have recognised that this transition must be fair and managed – and that it depends on collaboration between training providers, industry and trade unions. SMT is proud to be part of that effort, ensuring the workforce remains strong, skilled and ready for whatever the future of energy brings.

Recap

Scotland’s offshore future is not about leaving one industry behind. It is about carrying decades of skill, safety and experience forward into new opportunities.

OPITO training remains the foundation of offshore excellence, while GWO courses provide the bridge into the renewables sector. At Stream Marine Training, we are proud to deliver both, helping workers stay adaptable, employable and confident in their careers.

Wherever the energy industry goes next, SMT will be there – supporting the people who make it happen.

FAQs

Does this mean oil and gas training is ending?
No. OPITO courses remain essential for offshore work and are the foundation for both oil and renewables careers.

Can my OPITO training help me move into the wind sector?
Yes. Many safety and operational skills from OPITO courses transfer directly to GWO training and offshore wind work.

Is GWO replacing OPITO?
No. They complement each other. OPITO remains focused on oil and gas operations, while GWO supports the renewables sector.

Where can I take both OPITO and GWO training?
Stream Marine Training near Glasgow Airport offers fully accredited OPITO and GWO courses under one roof.