Scotland has awarded nearly GBP 1.7 million to three training projects designed to build workforce capacity for the country’s offshore wind sector.

The funding, announced on 22 June, will support a regional skills hub in the Highlands and Islands, expanded engineering construction training, and offshore wind courses at North East Scotland College.

The grants were made through the Offshore Wind Skills Program. The Scottish government expects the awards to help attract a similar amount of private-sector investment.

The University of the Highlands and Islands received GBP 1.2 million. The Engineering Construction Industry Training Board was awarded GBP 372,842, while North East Scotland College secured GBP 135,162.

The Offshore Wind Skills Program was launched earlier this year with a GBP 3.9 million budget to support workforce development for Scotland’s offshore wind industry.

Energy Minister Stephen Gethins said Scotland’s offshore wind sector could support up to 49,000 jobs, based on industry estimates. He said skills development is central to ensuring local communities gain employment benefits and companies can access the workforce needed for growth.

The announcement came before a visit to the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland, where Scottish and Irish representatives met participants in the Scottish-Irish Offshore Wind Internship Pilot. The program supports 20 paid internships in offshore wind.

Buchan Offshore Wind, developer of a planned 1 GW floating wind project in Scotland, welcomed the funding. Project Director Clare Lavelle said continued investment in people would be important for Scotland’s floating offshore wind ambitions.

According to Lavelle, the Buchan floating offshore wind farm is expected to support 2,900 Scottish jobs during construction, add more than GBP 900 million to the Scottish economy and create over GBP 2 billion in lifetime economic value.

The project is planned around 75 km northeast of Fraserburgh and would include up to 70 turbines using BW Ideol’s Damping Pool floating foundation technology. Grid connection is targeted for 2033.

In May, the Buchan Offshore Wind consortium, made up of BayWa r.e., Elicio and BW Ideol, said it had received Aberdeenshire Council planning consent for onshore infrastructure linked to the proposed 1 GW floating wind farm.

An offshore consent application was submitted to the Scottish government in August 2025, with a decision expected later this year.