Funding boost to grow Scotland's offshore wind workforce
New training and work placement opportunities.
Three more projects to help grow Scotland's offshore wind workforce have been awarded funding through the Scottish Government's £3.85 million Offshore Wind Skills Programme.
Ayrshire College, the National Manufacturing Institute of Scotland (NMIS) and STEM Returners will each receive a share of £861,000 to deliver training, work placements and career transition support, helping to build the skilled workforce needed to support the continued growth of Scotland's offshore wind sector.
These initiatives will open opportunities for people from a wide range of backgrounds, including final-year engineering students, STEM professionals returning to work after a career break, and those looking to transfer skills from sectors such as oil and gas, subsea, maritime and defence into offshore wind.
The funding will enable participants to develop new skills, build on existing experience and access opportunities across Scotland's growing offshore wind industry.
The funding announcement coincides with the launch of Ayrshire College’s Scottish Wind Technician Education Centre (SWiTEC), established in partnership with leading Norwegian provider Energy Innovation.
Energy Minister Stephen Gethins said:
"Scotland's growing offshore wind sector offers a generational opportunity for high-quality, well-paid employment across the country in a wide range of roles.
“These projects highlight how the Scottish Government is responding to the skills needs identified by industry, working with employers and training providers to create clear pathways into offshore wind while helping people across Scotland put their knowledge and expertise to work in the sector.
“With funding through our Offshore Wind Skills Programme, these projects will enable more people to secure good, well paid, long-term jobs and realise the wider economic benefits of our journey to net zero, as we build a more secure and more affordable energy future for Scotland and for Europe."
Angela Cox, Principal and Chief Executive of Ayrshire College said:
“We are delighted to receive this support through the Scottish Government’s Offshore Wind Skills Programme, which will help us expand opportunities for learners and strengthen Scotland’s offshore wind workforce.
"Through the Scottish Wind Technician Education Centre, learners will benefit from Ayrshire College’s high-quality vocational education alongside Energy Innovation’s proven industry training, which is already well established and internationally renowned. This will equip full-time students, people transitioning from other sectors and those already working within Scotland’s energy and engineering supply chains with the practical skills and recognised qualifications employers need.”
“Working with Energy Innovation, the Scottish Government and industry partners, we have a significant opportunity to develop a skilled, work-ready workforce while opening up high-quality career opportunities for people across Ayrshire and beyond.”
Background
The Offshore Wind Skills Programme (OWSP) was established by the Scottish Government in 2026 and allocated £3.85 million to support the development of the skilled offshore wind workforce needed to support the sector’s growth.
The projects announced today represent a further £861,000 of investment through the programme, following the first projects approved and announced in June, bringing the total funding awarded to £2,540,000.
• Ayrshire College: £280,000
• NMIS: £466,000
• STEM Returners: £115,000
Ayrshire College will receive £280,000 to deliver a major offshore wind training programme through the Scottish Wind Technician Education Centre (SWiTEC), 100 learners, including 50 full-time students and 50 learners from just transition and supply chain backgrounds. A further 150 learners will be supported through employer and complementary funding streams, creating training opportunities for up to 250 learners in total.
NMIS, part of the University of Strathclyde, will receive £466,000 to deliver an Offshore Wind Skills Accelerator pilot to provide 25 final-year engineering students with paid offshore wind-related internships, placements and work-based learning opportunities, with Real Living Wage support for all participating students.
NMIS will also establish a new Pre-Approved Talent System, a shared talent-matching platform expected to create a pool of at least 75 verified candidates. The pilot aims to engage at least 15 offshore wind and supply chain employers, facilitate more than 50 candidate interviews and support at least 25 internship, placement, apprenticeship or employment offers.
STEM Returners, in partnership with Global Underwater Hub (GUH), will receive £115,000 to deliver the Offshore Wind STEM Returners & Skills Transition Programme, for STEM professionals returning to work after a career break, as well as those looking to transfer skills from sectors such as oil and gas, subsea, maritime and defence into offshore wind. The programme will provide up to 20 employer-embedded placements linked to live vacancies with offshore wind and supply chain companies operating in Scotland, with support throughout including recruitment, assessment, onboarding and in-placement mentoring.