MEMBER NEWS: Industry Initiative to Support Professional Development in Late Life and Decommissioning services

October 11, 2022
MEMBER NEWS: Industry Initiative to Support Professional Development in Late Life and Decommissioning services

A joint initiative has been launched by Decom North Sea, Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) and international energy industry consultancy, Xodus Group, which is aimed at supporting the career development of individuals moving into the late life and decommissioning sector.

Emerging Professionals in Late Life & Decommissioning (EPLLD) has been established in recognition of the need to foster future talent in a growing sector, which will service the global oil and gas, nuclear and renewable industries.

The group, which is free to join, will offer a series of events, mentoring and guidance to members to improve understanding of the opportunities that lie ahead, widen networks and help identify blockers and enablers to future talent development. This will ensure that individuals who are moving into the sector, regardless of career stage, can take advantage of the support provided.

The initiative has been established by a founding quorum of emerging professionals, steered by Chair, William Garston, Senior Decommissioning Engineer, Xodus Group and Vice Chair, Alanna Kidd, Decom Project Engineer at Fairfield. Sponsors of the initiative are Sam Long, CEO Decom North Sea, Suzie Coull, OEUK Business Adviser – Decommissioning and Wells, and Gareth Jones, Xodus Group Decommissioning Division Manager.

Explaining the catalyst behind the creation of the EPLLD, Will Garston comments: “It is already clear that a sustainable workforce will shortly become one of the decommissioning sector’s biggest challenges. This group seeks to address this with immediate effect by nurturing both technical and personal development, promoting opportunities and showcasing the diverse and challenging career path that is late life and decommissioning.”

Alanna Kidd adds: “We cannot dispute the impact a global pandemic has upon individuals’ opportunity and ability to network in a professional context. Our key objective is to facilitate or reignite the connections which make for a thriving, sustainable sector, whether those be with individuals, academic institutions, companies or trade organisations.”

Emerging Professionals in Late Life & Decommissioning (EPLLD) holds its inaugural, online workshop on 21 October 2022. For details of how to join, visit the Eventbrite listing , join the Emerging Professionals in Late Life & Decommissioning members group on LinkedIn or email [email protected].

 

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AREG is the original energy transition organisation, working on behalf of members to empower the energy supply chain and champion its expertise. Please get in touch if you have any questions or would like to find out more about membership.

AREG has played an important role in the growth of Scotland’s renewable energy sector, engaging the supply chain and developing the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre. However, we are only at the very beginning of the transition that AREG was established to both lead and support so there are still opportunities for companies to get into the constantly evolving renewables supply chain. We look forward to continuing our work together as renewables builds on its place as Scotland’s main source of power, and as we seek to deliver real change in the crucial areas of heat and transport.

Scottish Renewables

Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce has worked closely with AREG since its formation. The recent progress in the developments of offshore wind projects by Equinor and Vattenfall are as a result of the work of the group over many years. The north-east is known as the oil and gas capital of Europe. At the Chamber, we believe the region must evolve its position to being recognised as the energy capital. Whilst hydrocarbons will continue to be essential in driving our economy for years to come, the generation of renewable resources will play an increasingly important role in providing cost-effective power, innovative development and economic growth.

Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce

The enthusiasm and dedication of the early group that would become AREG was fundamental in us choosing to launch All-Energy in Aberdeen. The first tiny show was held in 2001, and AREG’s Chairman at the time, Jeremy Cresswell, played such an active role that I often describe him in terms such as All-Energy’s ‘midwife’. All-Energy is now the UK’s largest renewable and low carbon energy exhibition and conference in terms of number of attendees, space booked, and number of exhibiting companies. As AREG became firmly established, their presence and support for the event grew spectacularly over the years. We thank them most sincerely for their invaluable input.

All-Energy

Vattenfall has forged a strong working relationship with AREG through the development of the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre. AREG has worked tirelessly on behalf of the North East and it can take enormous credit for the growth of sustainable energy in the region and the path it has cleared for the region to capture further investment.

Vattenfall

Aberdeen City and Shire is emerging as a key location for renewables by successfully transferring its world-class oil and gas expertise into the sector and AREG has done much to advance this through a broad range of initiatives. It has acted as a catalyst in driving further investment in the local economy by engaging with companies, Government, public bodies and existing projects and we have been pleased to support their efforts. Scottish Enterprise will continue to engage with AREG as we increase Scotland’s use of renewable energy.

Scottish Enterprise