Refinery workers prioritised for new jobs

Refinery workers at Grangemouth will be prioritised for new jobs created through a £25 million Just Transition Fund.

400 people have been made redundant after the refinery closed down.

First Minister John Swinney says the Scottish Government is taking "meaningful steps" to support workers:

“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 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."