THE UK and Scottish governments have admitted they cannot guarantee jobs for all workers facing redundancy at the Grangemouth oil refinery, despite efforts to support the affected workforce. This comes as Petroineos confirmed plans to cease refinery operations in spring 2025, putting approximately 400 jobs at risk.
While both governments have expressed optimism about job prospects for the skilled workers, they have stopped short of guaranteeing employment for everyone affected. Scottish Energy Secretary Gillian Martin stated that she believes skilled workers will secure alternative roles, but acknowledged that the number of positions preserved will depend on commercial entities entering the area.
UK Energy Minister Michael Shanks echoed this sentiment, emphasising the government’s commitment to facilitating a just transition away from fossil fuels. He noted that several employers have already engaged with the workforce, but did not provide specific job guarantee.
Scottish Secretary of State Ian Murray, addressing the media at the college, acknowledged the efforts of both governments to secure future employment for those affected but stopped short of guaranteeing jobs for all prior to the refinery’s shutdown.
“Government can’t give that guarantee,” he conceded during an interview with the PA news agency.
“What we are trying to do is put the conditions in place to make sure all the opportunities are open.”
In an effort to limit unemployment resulting from the refinery’s transformation into an import terminal, a change that will preserve around 100 positions, both governments have committed to laying “put everything, all the building blocks” necessary.
Meanwhile, Forth Valley College has received funding to deliver bespoke support for workers affected by the refinery’s decommissioning. The college will begin contacting workers to build individualised skills and support packages, and aims to map current skills and qualifications to future skills needed for local clean energy roles.
Kenny MacInnes, principal of Forth Valley College, commented: “Forth Valley College are uniquely placed to help and upskill any Petroineos employees who are impacted as a result of the closure of the oil refinery, and we will be there to offer the necessary training and support with the help of funding from the Scottish and UK Governments.”
Workers union Unite criticised the statement made by the governments of Scotland and the UK regarding funding for higher education, calling it “smoke and mirrors”, asserting that “Grangemouth workers will not be fooled by it”.
“The Government should be focused on preserving the current jobs rather than making a smoke and mirrors announcement around training for jobs that don’t exist,” said general secretary Sharon Graham.
