Striking a Balance Index

Next Section

2.4 Managing Future Structural Change Progress to date: achievements and difficulties encountered Data Gathering - The Foresight Report on Skills and Training and Learning from the Future The Foresight Report on skills and training derives from a survey by the Centre for International Labour Market Studies at the Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen in late 1999 on behalf of the OPITO. The findings revealed an increasing shortage of technical skills and a markedly rising age profile in some disciplines. Learning from the Future This report was sponsored by Scottish Enterprise, OPITO and the Robert Gordon University and resulted from an 18-month scenario-planning project. It describes four scenarios for future oil and gas development over the next 20 years based on variable factors such as oil and gas price, technology, alternative energy sources, comparative costs, industry structure, labour availability and skills. Sustainable Development Action Plan Addressing skills requirements The Foresight Report underlined the difficulty of planning future skills and manpower requirements, because of the constantly changing and reactive nature of our industry to external factors. We actively support OPITO's initiative to develop a mapping process to capture data on disciplines and sectoral employment. Aligned with the government-led Workforce Development Plan, it will help all industry sectors to plan staff and skills needs for the future. Building an understanding of the long term issues with stakeholders We will undertake scenario analysis to develop a broad understanding of the long-term structural consequences for employment by skill and region of North Sea maturity and further technology development. Co-ordinated with OPITO's Workforce Development Plan, this will help plan long-term workforce development and opportunities for transferring skills to other sectors. We will develop and share this understanding with stakeholders over 2001-2, involving key groups such as local authorities, Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), related businesses etc. This will build on the dialogue established by OPITO with RDAs and the first regional Foresight Report developed with the Norfolk and Waveney Regional Authority.