Three community projects are to receive funding from a pot of up to £10 million to plant more trees in Scotland’s cities and towns
A community orchard, tree planting and community wellbeing initiative and a local nature reserve are the first projects to benefit from the Urban Forestry Programme
Future Woodlands Scotland (FWS), the charity dedicated to creating and conserving woodlands across Scotland, has selected the first three projects to receive grants of up to £20,000 from its Urban Forestry Programme.
The Urban Forestry Programme is an ambitious ten-year project that sees FWS working alongside project founding partner bp to support and improve green spaces in Scotland’s cities, towns, and urban areas, an ambition shared by the two organisations.
This first round of funding will support projects that improve tree visibility, canopy cover, access to greenspaces, nature enhancement and education on biodiversity, food sustainability and climate literacy.
The first three projects to receive funding are:
Friends of Inch Park (FOIP), Edinburgh
A community orchard and planting project with an arts-based engagement programme that will improve canopy cover and raise awareness of nurturing trees.
Friends of Linn Park, Glasgow A tree restoration and enhancement programme at a nature reserve in Glasgow that includes facilities for community groups and aims to enhance woodland to provide a better-quality environment for local communities.
3. Norton Park SCIO, Edinburgh
A small-scale tree planting and green space improvement project to increase tree visibility and enhance access to greenspaces for local people and the wider community.
Shireen Chambers, CEO of FWS said: “By funding these three urban greening projects, we are investing in sustainable solutions that will not only benefit the environment by creating leafier neighbourhoods but also improve the wellbeing of local communities and encourage people to spend more time outdoors, interacting with their communities.
“Our goal is for everyone to benefit from trees, whether through learning about them, actively engaging in their care or simply spending time among them.
“We are proud to lead this important initiative with the backing of our founding partner bp and we look forward to seeing how these projects develop and reporting positive outcomes over the coming years.”
A total of 33 applications were submitted across two funding levels: projects ranging from £2,000 to £20,000, and those ranging from £20,000 to £100,000. The selected projects fall within the former funding range.
The projects were chosen based on the significant contribution they could make to the Urban Forestry Programme goal of helping towns and cities across Scotland achieve the 3:30:300 rule: everyone should see three trees from their home, every neighbourhood should have 30% tree canopy and quality green space within 300 metres.
The Friends of Inch Park community orchard and tree care project will ensure that residents can see at least three trees from their homes, which they have personally planted.
Ian Robertson, Secretary at Friends of Inch Park (FOIP), said: “We’ve been working on what more trees and planting in the area can do for people and for nature, so we’re delighted to be awarded an Urban Forestry Challenge Fund grant from Future Woodlands Scotland.
“With it, we can develop a new fully integrated community orchard and tree care project. We’re really looking forward to working across the generations to grow skills and understanding in caring for trees and the local landscape. This funding will take things to a whole new level for us.”
Scotland’s urban tree cover (under 16%) is much lower than the EU average of 30.2%. Increasing the number of trees in its cities and towns is crucial in supporting the journey to net zero and delivering a wide range of socio-economic benefits.
Applications for funding were measured by the Tree Equity tool, which was created to address imbalances in urban tree distribution by American Forests, a US non-profit organisation, and was brought to the UK by the Woodland Trust and Centre for Sustainable Healthcare.
Tom Hudson, bp’s project director, offshore wind said: ““bp has been providing funding towards Scottish woodland creation for over 20 years and is delighted to continue this. We look forward to seeing our support brought to life by these three community projects.”
bp’s contribution to the programme represents a significant part of its commitments to Scotland, which were made as part of the ScotWind bid for its Morven offshore wind project.
The Urban Forestry Programme has already funded two pilot projects: a fruit and nut tree planting project in Stirling and a tree warden volunteer scheme in Glasgow.
Successful applicants for the larger grant programme, which offers funding of up to £100k, will be announced in Spring. More information on the Urban Forestry Programme is available at www.futurewoodlands.org.uk
Five more people have been arrested in connection with disorder offences that took place in Edinburgh on Bonfire Night last year.
As part of the ongoing criminal investigation into the disorder that took place in Calder Road, officers executed two search warrants at addresses in the Broomhall and Saughton areas on Thursday, 30 January 2025. A 17-year-old male was arrested in Broomhall, while a 16-year-old male was arrested in Saughton.
Between Thursday, 30 and Friday, 31 January 2025, three other males aged 17, 17 and 25 were arrested in connection with offences that took place in Calder Road and Captains Road.
Four males aged 15, 16, 19 and 27 have also been reported to the Procurator Fiscal following the incidents in Captains Road.
The total number of people reported across Scotland for Bonfire Night criminality is now 61, with 41 of these individuals being linked to incidents in Edinburgh.
Chief Superintendent David Robertson said: “I will continue to reaffirm my message in the wake of the disorder we experienced on 5 November 2024, that if you were involved, you will be caught. It may take time, but you will not evade justice.
“Enforcement activity like this will continue to take place wherever and whenever we have gathered sufficient evidence.
“The public can continue to support us with our inquiries by coming forward with information, or submitting video or photographic evidence via our Major Incident Public Portal at https://mipp.police.uk/operation/SCOT24S16-PO1.”
National Museum of Scotland Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF Open 10:00–17:00 daily
Injecting Hope: The Race for a COVID-19 Vaccine Until 27 Apr 2025 Special Exhibition Gallery, Level 3 Free
Injecting Hope is a new, free exhibition at the National Museum of Scotland that presents the science behind the COVID-19 vaccine.
This exhibition brings together more than 80 objects that were acquired in real time during the peak of the pandemic by curators across the UK. Learn the science behind the creation of the vaccine and understand the logistics behind its global roll-out.
Cold War Scotland Until 4 Jan 2026 10:00 – 17:00 Special Exhibition Gallery 2, Level 3 Free
Scotland’s unique geography and topography provided a useful base for Allied military preparations and research during the Cold War, a 40-year nuclear stand-off between the USA and the Soviet Union following the end of the Second World War.
Cold War Scotland is an output of Materialising the Cold War, a collaborative research project between National Museums Scotland and the University of Stirling. The project explores how the Cold War heritage is represented and how museums can adapt to tell this story in future. The exhibition will explore both the visible and invisible legacies of the war in Scotland.
Theravada Buddhism Until 9 Mar 2025 Gallery 3, Level 1 Free
A thought-provoking display charts the history and influence of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition across the world, including its role in Scotland today. The display includes a Buddha on loan from The Dhammapadipa Temple in Edinburgh. The Buddha was designed and made in Thailand in 2013, then later gifted to Temple where it is now used in their garden meditation room.
National Museum of Scotland Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF Open 10:00–17:00 daily
Relaxed Morning 2 Feb & 2 Mar 10:00-12:00 (quiet space open until 12:30) Free admission, drop-in
Join us for our monthly Relaxed Morning for anyone who would appreciate a calmer visit to the museum. This session is primarily for, but not limited to, families with autistic children; autistic young people and adults; adults living with dementia; adults and children with mental health problems and any other visitors with sensory needs or who may prefer a more relaxed experience, plus their families, friends and carers. Friendly staff will be there to give you a warm welcome and support your visit, as you explore some areas of the museum without noisy interactives and videos to give a more relaxed environment.
Sensory Sunday 2 Feb & 2 Mar 11:00-12:00 and 14:00-15:00 Free, book required
Exciting, hands-on sensory play sessions for children with additional support needs. Families with children with additional support needs and disabilities are invited to join our programme of sensory play sessions. Explore the museum’s collections, get creative and meet other families. Sensory Sunday sessions are relaxed, fun hands-on, and respond to the needs of the families participating. You are welcome to come and go at any point during a session.
Magic Carpet Minis Block 1 (5, 12, 19 Feb) Block 2 (5, 12, 19 Mar) 10:30–11:15 or 14:00–14:45 £15.00 per child for block of 3 £13.50 per Member child for block of 3
Magic Carpet Minis introduces you and your little one to some of the wonderful galleries, objects and themes in the museum in a fun and gentle way. Taking place in different spaces around the museum, you will explore subjects such as the Natural World, Space, World Cultures and Scottish History through songs, stories, rhymes, actions, objects and sensory play.
This half term we will be home to an Agency for World Change climate action booth inspired by the Museum of Bern’s Planetopia project. Meet climate impact advocates, get creative, learn more about what the museum is doing for climate action and make your pledge of what small change you can make to live more ecologically.
Museum Socials 21 Feb 10:30-12:00 Learning Centre Seminar Room, Level 4 Free, booking required
Museum Socials are designed for people living with dementia, their relatives, friends, carers, and supporters. Relaxed and informal, each session explores a different museum theme through various interactive activities, including curator talks, object handling and creative crafts. And tea, cake and a warm welcome are always provided.
Curiosity Club: Ice Age 22 Feb 10:30-12:00 £10 (Members and Concessions £9)
Inspired by some of the museum’s most exciting collections, our Curiosity Clubs are a chance for kids to explore the museum without their adult helpers through games, activities, and gallery visits.
Relaxed Curiosity Club: Ice Age 22 Feb 14:30-15:30 £10 (£9 Members and Concessions)
Relaxed Curiosity Club sessions are particularly aimed at children with additional support needs, neurodivergent children or children with disabilities. Parents/carers (up to two per participating child) are invited to stay and either join in with the activities or enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the foyer of the activity area.
Relaxed Magic Carpet 24 Feb 10:30-11:15 or 14:00-14:45 £ 3 per child
Join us for a relaxed Magic Carpet session as we explore the museum through interactive songs, rhymes, and sensory play. This is a monthly, relaxed version of our Magic Carpet event, for babies, toddlers and children aged 0-6 with additional support needs or for anyone who would prefer a calmer session and a slightly more relaxed pace. This is not a set age range for participants and we welcome all families who feel they may enjoy these sessions.
Morning Curator Tour: Injecting Hope 25 Feb 09:15-10:00 £12 Adults, £10 Members & Concessions
Join our exhibition curator for an exclusive early morning tour of our Injecting Hope exhibition which details the rapid research, development and delivery of the COVID-19 vaccine. Discover the science behind the creation of the vaccine, the logistics behind its global roll-out and will also share some of the uniquely Scottish experiences of the global pandemic.
Magic Carpet Gaelic Week Special 26 Feb 10:30-11:15 Free, booking required
Come along to our Edinburgh Gaelic Week 2025 Magic Carpet special. This interactive session, suitable for under 5s and their accompanying adult, features songs, stories, rhymes, and play with no knowledge of Gaelic required.
Creative Workshop: Sustainable Statement Jewellery 1 Mar 10:30-16:00 £50 Adults, £45 Members and Concession
Join sustainable jewellery designer Syrah Jay to design and create your own statement necklace. Taking inspiration from National Museums Scotland’s nationally significant collection of modern and contemporary jewellery, discover how accessories don’t need to be made from precious metals.
Relaxed Access Evening: Injecting Hope 6 Mar 17:30-19:30 Free
Join us for a relaxed after-hours visit to Injecting Hope: The Race for a COVID-19 Vaccine. During this session, visitor numbers will be reduced, and sounds will be lowered to create a more relaxed experience.
This session is primarily for, but not limited to, neurodivergent visitors and those with sensory or additional support needs who would prefer a more relaxed experience, plus their families, friends and carers.
Banners, Ballads and Badges 8 Mar 13:00-15:30 £5, £3 (Members and Concessions)
Join an afternoon of talks and crafts as we discuss the vibrant anti-nuclear protests between the 1970s and 1990s and consider the unique role women played in Scotland’s peace movement.
There will be speakers from National Museums Scotland, the National Library of Scotland and the Gareloch Horticulturalists (Horties). Together they will discuss the significance of Scotland’s peace camps and vibrant anti-nuclear protests, which attracted women from all over the world.
Creative Workshop: Hand Embroided Stories 9 Mar 11:00-16:30 £50 Adults, £45 Members and Concession
Join textile artist Louise Goult to create your own unique hand embroidered artwork. Taking inspiration from the treasure trove of creativity in our Fashion and Style gallery, you will learn the skills, stitches and techniques to make a unique hand embroidered artwork.
Join our tour guide for an audio descriptive tour and a chance to look round the Injecting Hope exhibition after hours. This tour is aimed at blind, partially sighted and visually impaired visitors, and is most suitable for those aged 14+.
Friday Friends 14 March 14:00 – 16:00 Free, pre-booking required Our Friday Friends programme offers a welcoming space for visually impaired and D/deaf children and their families. The groups meet monthly and explore the themes of the museum through objects, music, art and activities.
Morning Curator tour: Cold War Scotland 18 Mar 09:15-10:00 £12, £10 (Members & Concessions)
Join this tour of our current exhibition Cold War Scotland to better understand a time when the world stood on the brink of nuclear war.
ERKM4Y Polaris Demonstration at Holy Loch, 3rd Feb 1961
Dr Meredith Greiling, Principal Curator of Technology will delve deeper into stories explored within the exhibition, from the emergence of nuclear energy in Scotland to the vibrant anti-nuclear protests and political activism of the period.
National Museum of Rural Life Philipshill Road, East Kilbride, G76 9HR Open 10:00–17:00 daily
Tractor Tots Until Mar 2025 10:15 & 13:30 Various dates £20 per child for block of 3, £15 per Member child for block of 3 Ticketed
Running in blocks of three Friday morning sessions, Tractor Tots offers a fun, focused experience for our younger visitors, introducing them to the museum and farm, and bringing it to life through interactive creative play. Each session will take place in a different location at the museum and working farm, and will feature handling objects from our learning boxes, singing, storytelling, rhymes, actions and sensory play to learn all about life in the countryside.
National Museum of Flight East Fortune Airfield, East Lothian, EH39 5LF Open Weekends only, 10:00–16:00
Half Term: Code Breakers 14-16 Feb 11:00-15:00 Free with museum admission
At the National Museum of Flight this half term, learn how secret Second World War codes were made and broken. Learn how secrets were hidden and shared during the Second World War with our family activities. Make your own code and learn how codes were broken. Then try your hand at Morse Code, semaphore and secret writing.
PARENTS in Edinburgh have called for urgent action after new figures emerged it could take 25 YEARS to clear a road safety backlog unless budgets are increased.
Parent Councils from 53 primary and secondary school from across the city have written to all their MSPs and Councillors calling for an increase in road safety funding, which they say is needed to keep children safe.
The Freedom of Information (FoI) statistics were gathered after a child was killed on their way to school in North Edinburgh last year.
In the FoI response, parent council’s discovered that, as of June 2024, there are 96 red flag sites on Edinburgh City Council’s speed reduction list.
Shockingly, despite this, only 19 roads have been improved in the last five years. At this rate, it would take 25 years to act on all the Edinburgh roads currently on the list.
The Parent Councils have now written to Edinburgh and Lothian MSPs and City of Edinburgh councillors demanding that budget makers prioritise road safety around schools.
In that letter, they point out that it’s only a matter of time before another tragedy occurs.
The parents say that an increased road safety budget is needed to tackle the backlog and ensure that future changes are made within a year of a site being identified for speed reduction measures.
Another FOI response showed that, in 2023/24, the road safety budget was £1.5m which was just 1% of the total road and transport budget for that year.
Kim Pratt, vice chair of the Davidson’s Mains Primary School Parent Council, said: “A 25 year backlog in speed reduction measures is condemning every child in Edinburgh to navigating unsafe roads for the rest of their school days.
“No child should be risking their life when traveling to school and it’s unacceptable that safety recommendations are being ignored.
“We do understand that the council is under financial pressure but getting children to school safely must be a priority.
“The call from parent councils from across Edinburgh shows that this is a systemic problem. Politicians in Edinburgh have the power to protect our children by increasing road safety funding and by making road safety around schools a priority in all future road developments.”
Lynsey Houston, chair of Craiglockhart Parent & Carer Council said: “I know that since Craiglockhart parents first raised concerns about road safety, some of the children have now graduated high school!
“A potential timescale of 25yrs is ridiculous but highlights the desperate need for more resources. After all, when we ask for improvements, we are asking for our council and government to prevent a tragic outcome.”
THE LETTER READS:
Monday, 3rd February 2025
To all Edinburgh and Lothian MSPs and City of Edinburgh Councillors,
INCREASE THE CITY’S ROAD SAFETY BUDGET TO KEEP EDINBURGH CHILDREN SAFE
We represent parents of children who attend schools across Edinburgh and we are calling on you, as our political representatives with control over the City of Edinburgh Council’s budget, to increase funding for road safety.
Our children are being harmed on their way to and from school. Last year, a child was killed on their way to school in Edinburgh and we believe, in the current situation, it is only a matter of time before this happens again.
A response to a Freedom Of Information request has shown that, as of June 2024, there are 96 sites on the Council’s speed reduction list and only 19 roads have been improved in the Last five years. At this rate, it will take 25 years to act on all the roads currently on the list.
This is unacceptable to many parents, whose children will grow up and leave school before changes are acted on. Our children are navigating unsafe roads now.
Whilst we understand that the Council is under huge pressure around funding, we believe that road safety, particularly around schools, should be more of a priority than it currently is.
Another FOI response showed that, in 2023/24, the road safety budget was £1.5m which was just 1% of the total road and transport budget for that year. You must increase Edinburgh Council’s road safety funding to reduce the backlog in speed reduction improvements and make future changes in a reasonable and responsible time period. We believe that, once a site is identified for speed reduction measures, improvements should be completed within a year and the Council should be funded appropriately.
All road budget spending should consider how safety around a school can be built into improvements.
We look forward to your response.
Yours faithfully,
Kim Pratt, Davidsons Mains Parent Council On behalf of the following Parent Councils of Edinburgh:
Davidson’s Mains Primary School Parent Council
Gilmerton Primary School Parent Council
Craigour Park Primary School Parent Teacher Council
Craiglockhart Parents & Carers Council
Canaan Lane Primary School Parent Council
Flora Stevenson Parent Council
Cramond Primary School Parent Council
James Gillespies Primary School Parent Council
Nether Currie Primary School Parent Council
James Gillespie’s High School Parent Council
Royal High School Parent Council
Preston Street Primary School
Clermiston Primary Parent Council
Trinity Primary Parent Council
Duddingston Primary Parent Council
Dalry Primary Parents and Carers Council
Chomhairle Phàrant Bhun-Sgoil Taobh na Pàirce
Bruntsfield Primary School Parent Council
Longstone Primary School Parent Council
Blackhall Primary School
Forthview Primary School Parent Council
Stockbridge Primary School Parent Council
Pentland Primary School Parent Council
Leith Walk Primary School Parent Council
Granton Primary School Parent Council
Castleview Primary School Council
East Craigs Primary Parent School
Craigentinny Primary School
St Andrew’s Fox Covert RC Primary School
Fox Covert Primary School
Gylemuir Primary School Parent Council
St Peter’s RC Primary School Parent Council
Oxgangs Primary School Parent Council
Roseburn Primary School Parent Partnership
St Thomas of Aquins Parent Council
Frogston Primary School Parent Council
Royal High Primary School
Bonaly Primary School
Holyrood RC High School
South Morningside Primary School Parent Council
St. Catherine’s RC primary school
Kirkliston Primary School Association
Currie Community High School Parents in Partnership
Scotland’s Baker and Butcher ‘Pieoneers’ Tackle Pie-Fuelled Challengeto Mark Silver Anniversary
*** Sandy Young/scottishphotographer.com***
Scotland’s love affair with pies and savouries reached fever pitch last week (Wednesday 29 January) as football legend Kris Boyd kicked off the countdown for the 25th annual World Championship Pie Awards at Scotland’s national stadium, Hampden Park.
Celebrating a quarter of a century of pie-making excellence, Scottish Bakers, the organisers of this iconic competition, staged a friendly showdown with butchers and bakers going head-to-head in the home of Scottish football.
This year’s competition welcomes the launch of Scottish Bakers’ new campaign, ‘Pieoneers’, celebratingthe passion, skill, and dedication of bakers, butchers, and pie makers across the UK and beyond. Designed to shine a spotlight on the pie and savoury industry trailblazers, the silver anniversary awards will showcase these pieoneers’ craftsmanship, innovation, and commitment to keeping Scotland’s culinary heritage alive.
Under the watchful eye of head judges Gordon Newlands, Brands Development and Scotch Butchers Club Manager, Quality Meat Scotland* and Kyle Rogers, UK Sales Manager of Rainbow Dust*, bakers and butchers faced off in a series of fun, Tough Mudder-inspired challenges, refereed by football star Kris Boyd. The Tough Mudder inspired mini tournament featured:
Scotch Pie Hurl: Distance challenge with ultimate bragging rights on the line.
Tug o’ Pies: A pie-fuelled tug-of-war showdown.
Pie-nalty Shootout: Score as many goals as possible—with pies in play!
Commenting on the 25th anniversary awards launch, Lesley Cameron, Chief Executive of Scottish Bakers, said: “As we celebrate 25 years of the World Championship Pie Awards, we take pride in reflecting on the incredible talent and innovation within Scotland’s baking and butchery industries.
“This year, the competition see’s the launch of our new Pieoneers campaign which celebrates the camaraderie between our Bakers, Butchers and Piemakers.
“I call on all Pieoneers to visit scotchpiewards.com to enter, and I am excited to see who this year’s winners will be. I would also like to thank our strategic partner, BAKO Group for their support, without our sponsors the event would not exist.”
Gordon Newlands, Brand Development and Scotch Butchers Club Manager at Quality Meat Scotland, added: “I am proud to be selected as one of the head judges in the year’s competition.
“It celebrates the very best in modern butchery and further showcases the passion to a craft that blends traditional skills with innovation and technology.”
Kris Boyd, sports presenter and footballing icon, commented: “This is a big shout to all the bakers, butchers, and pie makers out there to get your entries in for this year’s World Scotch Pie Championship Awards!
“What you do takes dedication, passion, and hard work – it’s not so different from what we aim for on the football pitch. Just like in football, teamwork, resilience, and striving for excellence are at the heart of what you do. I wish you all the very best of luck in the competition.”
Since its inception in 1999, the World Championship Pie Awards has set the standard for Scotland’s pie industry, with thousands of pies and savouries assessed by expert judges across multiple categories.
Competitors can enter across the following categories with the Scotch Pie award, the ultimate prize for the World Champion title, which is currently held by Blairgowrie-based James Pirie & Sons.
Football Pies & Savouries
Macaroni Pie
Steak Pie
Sausage Roll
Hot Savoury
Vegetarian Savoury
Haggis Savoury
Bridie
Apple Pies
Key Dates for the 2025 Competition:
29 January: Entries open
3 March: Entry deadline
26 March: Product Judging and shortlist at Carnegie Conference Centre, Dunfermline
Forth Ports has submitted Detailed Planning Consent and Listed Building Consent to @Edinburgh_CC for phase two of Harbour 31, known as ‘The Dry Dock at Harbour 31’, an exciting creative and commercial hub on land to the south east of #Edinburgh Dock within the Port of #Leith.
Reacting to the 2023 Scottish House Condition Survey results, Debbie Horne, Scotland Policy and Public Affairs Manager at Independent Age said: “The latest statistics released today show that 317,000 older households (37%) were in fuel poverty in Scotland in 2023, with 1 in 4 older households (25%) living in extreme fuel poverty.This is extremely concerning and shows a step change will be required to meet Scotland’s fuel poverty targets.
“As well as this, almost half (49%) of people in later life live in homes with an EPC rating of band D or below. Cold homes are hazardous to health, especially for older people. Every day, our helpline hears from people in later life who are wearing a coat indoors, washing less and skipping meals. In a socially just and wealthy nation no older person should be in fuel poverty.
“While it is welcome that the Scottish Government is working with energy companies to encourage them to put in place social tariffs for financially vulnerable customers, there is more that can be done.
“We’re calling on the Scottish Government to urgently create a strategy to tackle pensioner poverty. With 317,000 older households in fuel poverty, this can’t come soon enough. Today’s figures underscore the need for strategic action to lower bills by improving energy efficiency support and making sure the energy social security older people can access is sufficient.”
Fuel poverty targets were introduced in Scotland through the Fuel Poverty (Targets, Definition and Strategy) (Scotland) Act 2019.
Interim targets for 2030 state:
a) no more than 15% of households in Scotland are in fuel poverty,
(b)no more than 5% of households in Scotland are in extreme fuel poverty.
Scotland Office Minister’s visit to focus on clean energy
Recently launched Skills Passport allowing workers more flexibility to move between sectors
North East companies shining example of clean energy initiatives and economic growth
Scotland’s clean energy future will be top of the agenda as Scotland Office Minister Kirsty McNeill visits Aberdeenshire and Angus today (Mon) to meet with companies at the cutting edge of the green revolution.
Minister McNeill will meet with the iconic Scottish brand, Mackie’s, who have invested in sustainable energy through wind turbines, solar panels and biomass projects at their base in Rothienorman, outside Inverurie.
As part of the UK Government’s commitment to a clean energy future for the North East, the Minister will also visit 3t Training Services in Dyce who are helping to provide training to energy workers looking to transfer their skills and experience in oil and gas into renewables.
Ahead of her visit, Ms McNeill said: “The UK Government is committed to a clean energy future that helps economic growth and creates skilled jobs. We are already seeing fantastic examples of businesses in the North East who are leading the way and showing that cutting their emissions while continuing to grow go hand in hand.
“This is an exciting time for the region. With GB Energy being headquartered in Aberdeen, the north east is vital to our clean energy plans.
“As part of our Plan for Change, the UK Government, alongside the Scottish Government and industry, are working to remove the red tape for our skilled oil and gas workers who are looking to work in clean energy. These people have incredible skills and experience that should be utilised and we are ensuring they are supported through this transition. I’m looking forward to meeting with some of them as well as those helping to train them.”
Jamie Purves, General Manager at 3t’s Dyce training centre, emphasised the importance of upskilling and industry collaboration in ensuring a smooth energy transition. He said: “The North East has long been a centre of excellence in energy, and we are committed to making sure its workforce continues to thrive as the sector evolves.
“At 3t, we work closely with industry and Government to provide the specialist training and support needed to help energy professionals move seamlessly into renewables.
“The Skills Passport is a game-changer. It simplifies the transition process and ensures we retain the invaluable expertise developed in oil and gas. This is about securing a sustainable future while creating new opportunities for workers and businesses alike.”
Working alongside the industry and Scottish Government, the UK Government has recently launched the Skills Passport initiative as part of the UK Government’s Plan for Change and clean energy superpower mission.
Oil and gas workers will be able to access the skills passport online, which will initially help them identify routes into several roles in offshore wind, including construction and maintenance – before being expanded over the coming year to recognise other pathways from oil and gas into the renewable sector.
This is in addition to Aberdeen being identified as one of four key growth regions in the UK for clean energy. Work is ongoing to identify the skills support needed in their area to deliver clean power by 2030.
The minister will also meet with Montrose Port, a recent recipient of the Carbon Reduction Award at the Scottish Green Energy awards. The port, which helps service windfarms including Scotland’s largest – SSE’s Seagreen – is currently going through an expansion as demand for renewable projects increases.
… and much more!