A project which aims to boost the number of experienced workers entering the renewable energy workforce in Scotland has been unveiled.

The Transition Training Network (TTN) is a new initiative and a collaboration between the National Skills Academy for Power and Scottish Renewables.

On the Scottish Renewables website, it says the project will help the transition of skilled employees to the renewables sector from other industries.

The TTN will be funded by the Skills Academy through funding received by the Employer Investment Fund (EIF) and is based on the initiative of a consortium comprising Skills Development Scotland (SDS), Scottish Renewables, the college Energy Skills Partnership (ESP) and the National Skill Academy for Power.

Welcoming the new scheme, Scottish Finance Secretary John Swinney said: "Transition training is extremely important and this new skills network will help people from other industries make the move into renewables bringing all of their knowledge and experience with them.

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"The Scottish Government is firmly committed to developing a skilled workforce to support our growing renewables industry. We have developed the first UK Wind Turbine Modern Apprenticeship and have ring-fenced 500 of our Modern Apprenticeship starts each year for energy."

Sarah Johnson, Head of Renewables at the National Skills Academy for Power added: "This new network means that the renewable energy industry in Scotland will have the tools to avoid a skills shortage in the future.

"Although skills have not limited the growth of renewables thus far, the transition of experienced workers from other sectors such as oil and gas, construction, aerospace and the armed services will ensure that the Scottish renewable energy industry will remain just as dynamic in the years to come."

The scheme will call upon a wide network of employers to assess skills needs in the industry, as well as equally assess the skills which providers such as colleges can offer. The TTN will identify the skills gaps in the marketplace, and in particular, support small and medium-sized enterprises, a vital aspect of the renewable energy industry.

A study commissioned by the consortium which established the initiative shows that transition workers are an important part of delivering anticipated growth for the renewables sector. The research estimated around 75% of new jobs will be filled by experienced personnel joining the sector from other industries. For example, offshore oil and gas, energy generation/ transmission, construction and the military.

The TTN is just one of the projects funded by the £1.6m investment in skills infrastructure by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills announced in 2012.

(JP)