EU invites input for workforce transition from oil & gas to renewables

The European Commission is pushing for a workforce shift as part of its Clean Industrial Deal, encouraging offshore oil and gas workers to transition into renewables, mainly offshore wind and ocean energy.

Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen said: “Here we need your input. For example, on how we can facilitate offshore oil and gas workers to transition to new roles in offshore wind or ocean energy.”

The European Union (EU) expects job growth in renewables, particularly in the battery sector and offshore energy, as part of its broader energy transition. Training and upskilling programs are said to be necessary to fill the demand for skilled labor in these industries.

Von der Leyen emphasized that social dialogue will play a key role in shaping these changes, ensuring that workers are supported as fossil fuel jobs decline.

“The shift to clean energy will create over 1 million new jobs by 2030. Massive investments are needed in skills, in AI adoption, in energy, and digital infrastructure,” Von der Leyen noted.

In February, the EU unveiled the Clean Industrial Deal, a transformational business plan outlining concrete actions to turn decarbonization into “a driver of growth” for European industries by supporting renewable energy sources.