By Bill Ireland, CEO of Logan Energy
THE steady phasing-out of fossil fuels from the UK’s energy mix poses a big problem for those working in the oil and gas industry. As a result, career opportunities are not what they used to be and jobs are increasingly thin on the ground.
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At the same time, in any emerging industry market there’s always going to be some level of skills shortage and as the hydrogen sector continues to grow, job numbers are increasing, offering a great alternative for skilled workers struggling to find work in oil and gas.
The shifting energy sector
As COP26 beckons, the gaze of the international community is focused on the UK government, its Paris Agreement partners and the collective drive towards Net Zero at this year’s Glasgow summit. If the UK is to reach its ambitious emissions targets, and successfully decarbonise both its industries and the infrastructure that supports them, focus needs to shift towards how it significantly ramps up energy generation that comes from renewable sources – like wind, solar, wave, and geothermal.
Hydrogen energy is set to play a significant role in helping attain these goals and, while it might not necessarily be the whole answer, it is certainly an essential part of it. As a result, hydrogen offers engineers currently working in oil and gas a sound alternative career path which will be vital to the UK’s post-Covid economy.
Transferable skills can affect real change
Basic engineering skills are at the heart of both sectors and, for those looking to make the switch, the necessary expertise to fulfil the base level requirements of each job is very similar. Just like the oil and gas industry, the hydrogen sector needs engineers, mechanical fitters, and electricians as well as a host of other people whose skills lie in areas like welding, fixing or terminating cabling.
Where the two sectors do differ are in scale and application. It is difficult but important work and anyone looking to make the jump must understand that if they can reapply these skills then they can affect real change in our energy sector. If we are to undo at least some of the damage done to our planet, it is vital that the hydrogen industry get the right people into the right jobs, and quickly.
Green hydrogen and its role in the energy mix
Green hydrogen is a reasonably new industry and there is an opportunity to benchmark a new way of doing things. Collaborating with the oil and gas sector to upskill the existing workforce as it makes the switch to clean energy and infrastructure is just as important as offering alternative career opportunities.
If the industry is to address its impact on our planet, whilst at the same time protecting the jobs that rely on it, then it must find new ways of working that incorporate energy solutions that are green and renewable.
As I’ve said before, hydrogen isn’t the whole answer, it’s part of the answer. A collective willingness to work together through the sharing of skills, knowledge and expertise will be crucial to delivering the Just Transition that will help us beat the climate emergency.
