Three additional projects aimed at expanding Scotland's offshore wind talent pipeline have secured a combined £861,000 from the Scottish Government's Offshore Wind Skills Programme, taking total awards under the £3.85 million initiative to £2.54 million following earlier approvals in June.

Ayrshire College, the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) and STEM Returners will use the funding to offer training, work-based learning and targeted support for people moving into the sector. Opportunities are designed for final-year engineering students, STEM professionals returning after a career break, and workers transferring from oil and gas, subsea, maritime and defence.

The announcement coincides with the launch of Ayrshire College’s Scottish Wind Technician Education Centre (SWiTEC), created in partnership with Norwegian provider Energy Innovation, to help meet industry demand for skilled technicians across Scotland.

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.

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"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."

Ayrshire College will receive £280,000 to deliver a major offshore wind training programme through SWiTEC for 100 learners, split between 50 full-time students and 50 people from just transition and supply chain backgrounds. Employer and complementary funding will support a further 150 learners, creating up to 250 training opportunities overall.

NMIS, part of the University of Strathclyde, has been awarded £466,000 to run an Offshore Wind Skills Accelerator pilot for 25 final-year engineering students, offering paid internships, placements and work-based learning with Real Living Wage support. NMIS will also create a Pre-Approved Talent System to build a pool of at least 75 verified candidates, aiming to engage 15 or more employers, enable over 50 interviews and support at least 25 offers across internships, placements, apprenticeships or jobs.

STEM Returners, working with Global Underwater Hub, will receive £115,000 to deliver the Offshore Wind STEM Returners & Skills Transition Programme. It will provide up to 20 employer-embedded placements linked to live vacancies with offshore wind and supply chain companies in Scotland, with support covering recruitment, assessment, onboarding and in-placement mentoring.