Redundant Grangemouth workers given priority for new jobs under transition fund

The Scottish Government’s Grangemouth scheme will give workers made redundant priority for new jobs.

The Grangemouth Jobs Prioritisation Scheme has been introduced as a new clause in the grant funding awarded to businesses.

The scheme makes it conditional for any business receiving investment through the Grangemouth Just Transition Fund to prioritise workers made redundant with the refinery closure for new jobs.

First Minister John Swinney announced £25m of funding in June for the Grangemouth Just Transition Fund in light of job losses expected to impact the industry.

First Minister John Swinney hailed the Grangemouth Jobs Prioritisation Scheme. PA Media

Swinney said the Government was taking “meaningful steps” to make sure workers “are not left behind” in the transition to net zero.

He said: “Supporting the just transition to a low-carbon economy is one of our highest priorities for Government, but we understand the risk this transition brings to businesses and skilled workers in the oil and gas sector.

“We’re taking meaningful steps to ensure that our workers and communities are not left behind in the journey to net zero and that fairness and equality are at the heart of our actions.”

The scheme is being delivered in partnership with Unite the Union and will ensure all Scottish Enterprise grant awards from the fund to businesses will give priority to eligible Grangemouth workers during recruitment.

Swinney said: “The Grangemouth Jobs Prioritisation Scheme – developed in partnership with Unite – is a concrete example of this, helping workers secure new opportunities and ensuring that their vital experience, skills and knowledge are not lost to Grangemouth and to Scotland. This is a just transition in action.

“By ensuring workers who were made redundant following the cessation of refining at Grangemouth are prioritised for these new jobs, we are making sure that public funds directly support people and livelihoods – rightly bringing the workforce with us as we move towards the clean energies of the future.”

Susan Fitzgerald, Unite secretary, said: “Unite has fought every day for the replacement of the highly skilled jobs lost as a result of the Grangemouth oil refinery closing. We continue to demand concrete action for workers during the energy transition, and that far more needs to be done to support new jobs in greener industries.

“The Grangemouth pilot scheme will apply conditionalities to companies in receipt of public sector funding, which will include a job interview guarantee for eligible workers. We understand this approach is a first across the UK. The scheme has involved the active participation of our Grangemouth members and it is one which Unite welcomes.

“It is now time to deliver with urgency the promised new jobs and investment for the workers and people of Grangemouth, if we are to achieve any resemblance of a genuine just transition.”