THE offshore energy industry is at a pivotal moment. As Britain transitions from fossil fuels to renewables like wind and hydrogen, oil and gas workers face significant challenges, including job insecurity and weaker rights compared to their land-based counterparts.

RMT advocates for a just transition — one that ensures workers’ rights, fair treatment and job security are central to this shift.

Labour government’s role in the transition

The Labour government has introduced encouraging measures, notably through Ed Miliband’s energy transition working group, which includes trade unions.

However, offshore workers remain sceptical despite positive developments such as the creation of GB Energy.

Years of declining pay, harsh working conditions, redundancies and inadequate retraining opportunities — coupled with soaring profits for oil and gas companies — have left many questioning whether these promises of change will truly benefit them.

Unfulfilled promises of green jobs

While political leaders project over 104,000 jobs in offshore wind by 2030, many workers from the oil and gas sector are unconvinced they will benefit.

Over the past decade, the industry has shed more than 200,000 jobs, leaving many workers, particularly in the North Sea, facing uncertainty and limited retirement prospects.

The extensive use of contractors means many will only receive statutory redundancy despite decades of service. This is something that must be addressed urgently.

A plan for job security

A legally binding plan is needed to ensure the transition protects workers’ pay, conditions, and skills. RMT calls for minimum employment standards and union recognition to be established in renewable projects before they begin.

This is vital to ensure oil and gas workers can transition into equivalent roles in renewables such as offshore wind, carbon capture and hydrogen.

Projects like the Green Volt wind farm, aimed at decarbonising North Sea oil and gas installations, must prioritise these workers, with terms set through collective bargaining agreements.

Public Investment in Training

Retraining and upskilling are crucial for a successful transition, but workers are currently bearing the costs of training with no guarantee of future employment.

We support publicly funded retraining initiatives, such as the proposed offshore training passport, which would allow workers to move between sectors without financial burden.

The joint initiative by the UK and Scottish governments to create a digital skills passport for offshore workers is a positive step, but it requires greater public funding to make the impact that is desired.

There is also a clear need for better investment in local workforce development, as the current reliance on workers from abroad to fill skill gaps indicates a failure to properly train domestic workers, including women and minority groups who are under-represented in the sector.

Protecting workers’ rights

Trade union access and collective bargaining must be fundamental to the energy transition. Offshore workers deserve safe working conditions, fair pay and a say in their future.

Our union will continue to push for full enforcement of safety regulations, such as the Offshore Installations (Safety Representatives and Safety Committees) Regulations, which were introduced after the Piper Alpha disaster to protect offshore workers’ rights and safety.

Research shows unionised workplaces are not only fairer but also safer, and this must extend to new energy sectors.

Infrastructure investment

The future of the offshore energy industry also depends on investment in critical infrastructure.

The British government’s National Wealth Fund, with over £27 billion earmarked for public investment, must support ports and offshore industries while ensuring these investments prioritise British jobs and communities.

RMT opposes freeports, which risk distorting investment priorities, and argues that ports like Aberdeen should be used to create good union jobs and bolster local economies.

Conclusion

A just transition is not optional — it’s essential. The offshore energy workforce has powered Britain for decades and now requires support to secure its future in the renewable energy sector.

We will continue fighting for a transition that guarantees job security, fair pay, and safe working conditions for all offshore workers. The time for action is now — to ensure workers are not left behind as the energy industry evolves.

Ann Joss is an RMT regional organiser in Scotland, representing members in the offshore section of the union.