Help Shape Future Provision
The UHI Offshore Wind Skills Hub will give employers the opportunity to help shape and deliver the skills needed for our growing offshore wind sector. By engaging with the Hub, you can influence future training provision, access workforce development and upskilling opportunities, offer placements and industry experiences for students, and collaborate with UHI on projects that address current and future workforce needs.
The Hub will support the development of skills in areas including engineering, fabrication and welding, electrical systems, maritime operations, hydrogen and related infrastructure roles, reflecting an occupation and skills‑based approach intended to build regional workforce capacity for offshore wind and related energy transition sectors. The Hub will run a range of initiatives designed to support employers and learners to access specialist skills development while reducing the financial barriers associated with recruitment, training and career progression.
Three Incentives: One Skills Pipeline
Apprentice Recruitment Incentive
Recruit
Up to £3,000
per eligible apprentice
Available to employers for:
- Additional apprenticeship starts
- Apprentices from defined under-represented groups
Supporting priority offshore wind and adjacent enabling occupations
Flexible Employer Fund
Upskill
Up to 50%
of eligible training costs
Available to employers as match funding for short-duration training for:
- upskilling
- reskilling
- workforce transition activities
Supporting priority offshore wind and adjacent enabling occupations
Learner Bursary Fund
Enable
Up to £1,500
for eligible learners
Available to individual students to support
- travel and accommodation
- equipment or certification costs
- living costs
- access to training and skills development opportunities
Supporting education which could lead to a career in offshore wind and enabling occupations
Other ways you can become involved
These initiatives form part of a wider regional approach to building a skilled, diverse and sustainable workforce for the offshore wind sector and wider energy transition opportunities across the Highlands and Islands. We are seeking support from employers and industry partners to help ensure that training provision reflects real workforce needs and creates meaningful pathways into employment. You can help by:
- Joining an Employer Advisory Group
- Providing input into curriculum design and skills requirements
- Supporting students through mentoring
- Offering guest talks, masterclasses or industry insights
- Supporting project based learning activities
- Recruiting apprentices or participating in apprenticeship enhancement activity
- Participating in the Flexible Employer Fund
- Supporting transition opportunities for workers moving from adjacent sectors
- Contributing equipment, facilities or specialist expertise
Contact Us
If you are interested in any of the opportunities associated with the Hub, or if you would like to register your interest in receiving further information as the project develops, please get in touch at:
- Email: skillshub@uhi.ac.uk
