Jessica O'ConnorWorkers directly affected by the closure of the Grangemouth oil refinery are to receive additional targeted support to help them transition into new employment, the UK and Scottish Governments have announced.
Employees of INEOS O&P who were part of shared services for the refinery will now be able to access skills training at Forth Valley College, building on earlier measures introduced for Petroineos workers.
More than 300 staff have already received careers advice and training since the start of the year, and total investment in the support package now stands at around £2m.
The training programmes include courses in renewable energy and wind turbine engineering, aimed at helping workers move into Scotland’s clean energy sector, which already supports over 47,000 jobs.
Michael Shanks, Minister for Energy, said: “We want to ensure workers directly affected by the closure of Grangemouth refinery get the tailored support they are entitled to, with over 300 already receiving advice and training to help them into new employment opportunities.
“This training guarantee will equip this highly skilled workforce to transfer their experience into new sectors as Scotland continues to lead the way in the UK’s clean energy future.”
Gillian Martin, Climate Action and Energy Secretary, added: “As Scotland’s leading industrial cluster, Grangemouth has long played a vital role in our economy and energy security.
“It is only right it continues to help lead the way in our journey to net zero through new, green energy opportunities.”
Unite Scottish secretary Derek Thomson welcomed the investment, saying: “The additional support for Grangemouth-based workers will deliver targeted assistance for those facing redundancy due to the closure of the oil refinery.
“The investment by the Scottish and UK governments for retraining will provide INEOS workers with some reassurance that they are not being left behind.”
