The 43rd survey data from the Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce (Spring 2026) should be a wake-up call.
UK business confidence in the North Sea sits at a net balance of -68. Confidence in international markets? +58. Operators reported a net headcount reduction of 71% in north-east Scotland over the past year, with zero operators reporting staff increases anywhere.
Here’s the part that should worry the energy transition crowd too: movement into new energy roles is sitting at just 8-15%. The skilled people leaving aren’t pivoting to offshore wind. They’re going overseas, retiring early, or leaving the sector altogether.
Nearly three-quarters of respondents believe new energy jobs will either never replace oil and gas employment or won’t for over a decade.
If we want a homegrown floating wind industry, the workforce to build it is currently walking out of the North Sea sector and we’re not catching them on the other side.