Developed with unions and business, the government’s Fair Work Charter requires offshore wind developers to pay into a skills fund or spend a minimum amount on skills training, from 2027
Energy workers across Britain are set for a skills and protections revolution after offshore wind supply chain companies and trade unions signed up to the government’s Fair Work Charter.
Developed with unions and business, the charter requires offshore wind developers to pay into a skills fund or spend a minimum amount on skills training, from 2027. An initial 37 supply chain companies have agreed to sign up to the charter, alongside five trade unions – including GMB, Prospect and Unison.
The deal will also see unions get better access to workplaces and ensure strong healthy and safety standards in the booming offshore wind sector.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “This government has always been clear that the workers who power the nation deserve power in their workplace too. As we continue to go further and faster in delivering the clean power mission in the wake of the war in Iran, we are clear that building a more secure and stable energy system must – and will – go hand in hand with stronger workers’ rights.”
If supply chain companies and offshore wind projects don’t sign up to the charter, they will miss out on government funding through the clean industry bonus and renewables auction.
Ministers have promised clean power by 2030, with 100,000 new jobs expected in offshore wind. A typical offshore wind salary is expected to be around £10,000 higher than the UK average, with 90% of the oil and gas workforce possessing skills that are transferable into offshore renewables.
Responding to the announcement, Charlotte Brumpton-Childs, GMB National Secretary, said: “For too long, governments have left developers to self-regulate, creating an uneven playing field that too often comes at the expense of workers.
“This charter is an important first step towards levelling that playing field and ensuring the workforce delivering the UK’s clean energy future is treated fairly, with decent pay, secure jobs and proper standards across the industry.
Paul Nowak, TUC General Secretary said: “Offshore wind workers are on the frontlines of building energy independence, making the UK less dependent global turmoil. But for too long they haven’t been treated with the dignity and respect they deserve. This Charter is an important step towards good, secure, unionised jobs in the sector, and the TUC is happy to have worked with government, unions and industry to get it over the line.”