The UK Labour Government has renewed its promise to build a lasting legacy for generations of energy workers in Scotland after delivering on its manifesto promise to headquarter Great British Energy in Scotland.
£750k funding has also been announced for skills, training and employability work in the north-east. Great British Energy has today confirmed it will work with a range of local partners, focussed on training, skills and employability in the area.
This aims to get people including, young people and NEETs, into energy and related sectors, while tackling barriers faced by those from disadvantaged communities.
Local MP Douglas Alexander joined HRH King Charles III at the official opening of the UK Labour Government’s flagship publicly owned energy company, which is delivering immediate investment and creating the jobs of the future across Scotland.
Secretary of State for Scotland Douglas Alexander said:
“Today the UK Labour Government is delivering a major Scottish manifesto commitment. This opening is great news for Aberdeen, great news for Scotland, and great news for the United Kingdom.
“Aberdeen is our energy capital and has helped power our country for decades. Now the Granite City is also providing a home to our publicly owned energy company, GB Energy, that serves the whole of the United Kingdom.
“Great British Energy is not only creating jobs right now, but also looking to the future, and is investing in skills that will be needed by the workforce in an ever-changing energy sector.
“East Lothian has always been a key part of Scotland’s energy sector, and it’s set to continue being critical to its future development. I look forward to GB Energy supporting that development and the jobs it will create here.”
Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh said:
“For more than half a century Aberdeen has been at the heart of Britain’s energy system – the skills and expertise here is why this city will remain the energy powerhouse of the future.
“As publicly-owned Great British Energy opens its doors to the city, we are backing young people to be part of this next chapter, alongside skilled oil and gas workers.
“It’s an important step-up in support and training for the thousands of good energy jobs opening up in Scotland and across the country.”