Workforce report shows UK can support oil and gas, expand renewables, and reach climate goals
The UK could add thousands of jobs, retain economic value and lead the world in energy with the right policies, collaborative action, and a focus on an integrated energy workforce, according to OEUK’s 2025 Workforce Insight.
Providing a blueprint for decision-makers and those navigating the expansion to a broader energy mix, OEUK presents the latest employment data and details steps to equip the workforce for its essential role in supporting a low-carbon economy across oil and gas, offshore wind, carbon capture & storage (CCS) and hydrogen.
Highlighting the potential to grow jobs, ensure good jobs and guard existing jobs, OEUK calls for timely intervention to support a robust domestic energy sector, warning that inaction will lead to an unprecedented exodus of supply chain capability, continued job losses, further loss of critical expertise, and hinder progress toward the UK’s net zero targets.
In the past year, more than 55% of the UK’s offshore energy firms have reduced their staff headcount according to a Pulse survey OEUK conducted in October 2025 to quantify the impact of the fiscal regime. Looking ahead, nearly 45% of surveyed companies are expecting to cut jobs further over the next 12 months if the current policy environment continues.
Ahead of the Budget, OEUK has urged the government to reform the fiscal regime to secure investment, safeguard jobs and strengthen the UK’s homegrown energy future, arguing that the choice is not between economic growth and climate ambition but how to deliver both.
Katy Heidenreich, OEUK’s supply chain and people director said:
'The government’s Clean Energy Jobs Plan presents an ambitious goal as the country works towards net zero emissions, energy security, and a strong economy. It’s vital that we ground ambition in reality. The windfall tax is costing jobs and investment and reducing tax revenues that support families, communities and vital services across the UK. Nine out of ten supply chain companies believe growing their business is only possible by finding new markets outside the UK. Many of the renewable energy sector jobs will not materialise before 2030 and we must act now to avoid losing the skilled people who are essential to achieving the UK’s climate ambition.
'We have an incredible opportunity, as we expand and diversify our energy mix across oil and gas, wind, hydrogen, and carbon capture and storage (CCS). We should build the energy jobs of the future on the shoulders of energy workers today.
'With the right policies and investment, the UK can achieve a net addition of jobs, growing the offshore energy workforce from 154,000 today to over 212,000 by 2030, with continued growth in oil and gas playing a central role. OEUK and its members are ready to lead but success depends on decisive action from government, industry and academia.'
The report addresses the common misconception that separate workforces exist for clean energy and oil and gas. Around 90% of the offshore energy workforce is employed by UK supply chain companies and most of these have expanded into and are already active across multiple energy sectors.
As a leading force in supporting strategic priorities for employment and skills, OEUK is committed to highlighting good practice and turning insight into action. OEUK’s Workforce Insight 2025 provides a blueprint for government and industry to deliver the energy jobs of the future. OEUK’s Calls to Action cannot be overstated: they are critical to unlocking growth, integrating the energy workforce, and ensuring the UK leads the world in clean, secure energy.
The Calls to Action are:
Grow Jobs: Unlock investment, expand the sector, and use energy workforce modelling to plan for the future.
Good Jobs: Embed fair pay, high standards, and inclusion across all energy sectors.
Guard Jobs: Retain skills, support new entrants, and protect communities.
The full report is available here .
Source: OEUK
