Profile
The North Sea, St. Fergus and Aberdeen are the main centre of operations for the
oil and gas exploration and production (upstream) industry, which is supported by a wide range of locally-based sub-sectors including geo sciences, design engineering, environmental support, shipping, drilling, design engineering and well servicing. The
petroleum refining and marketing sector (downstream) is dominated in Scotland by one of the the largest crude oil stabilisation gas separation plant and refinery in Europe which is located in Grangemouth. Clustered around this complex are a number of large and smaller
chemicals sites, some of which derive their feedstock from there. The road, rail and ship distribution network in Scotland is centred in Grangemouth and supplies terminals in Aberdeen, Inverness, Dumfries, Fort William, Kilmarnock, Lairg, Montrose, Orkney, Scrabster, Shetland, Skye, St. Boswells, St. Monans, Wigton and Wooler.
There are also large storage and jetty faciliites at Finnart, Dalmeny, Orkney and Shetland.
The
nuclear sector is concentrated in Central Scotland with Hunterston A and B (Ayrshire) and Torness, (East Lothian) Power Station. In Dunfriesshire with Chapelcross Power Station, and in the northern region of Caithness which hosts the Dounreay site. There are also Royal Navy bases servicing the nuclear powered submarine fleet around the Clyde. Glasgow is a centre for several nuclear supply chain companies.
Chaplecross, Hunterston A and Dounreay are being decommissioned.
See also:
LMI
Skills Trends
The Cogent industries in Scotland face the issues of ageing workforces coupled with difficulties in recruiting young people as well as highly skilled managers, engineers and technicians. The oil and gas and nuclear industries in particular must adhere to strict health and safety legislation which puts great emphasis on insuring that workers have the necessary qualifications and training to operate in an hazardous environment.
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polymer companies operate in Scotland, in an industry which faces tough challenges from foreign competition but manages to keep ahead due to its commitment to training and development. It has one of the most proactive training providers in Scotland within the membership of the Scottish Plastics and Rubber Association ably supported by a number of colleges providing technician, under graduate and post graduate courses.
Cogent Activities
Cogent works with local employers and a range of other key stakeholders such as the Scottish Executive, the Scottish Enterprise, Highlands & Islands Enterprise, Local Enterprise Companies and the enforcement agencies.
The SSC carries out an annual Upstream Technician Review which initiates a yearly campaign to recruit Modern Apprentices into the Oil and Gas sector and works closely with the Scottish Plastics and Rubber Association and the Scottish Chemicals Initiative Scottish Chemicals Training Organisation to promote skills development, innovation, growth and competence assurance programmes in these industries.
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