Business News Round Up (06/06/2025)
Scotland’s offshore sector faces steep jobs cuts amid energy transition
A new report from Robert Gordon University has cautioned that the UK faces the loss of tens of thousands of offshore energy jobs by 2030 unless immediate and coordinated action is taken. The report, Striking the Balance – Building a sustainable UK offshore energy workforce, captures the latest industry forecasts and employment data – highlighting the widening gap between policy intent and real-world outcomes. It also considers the evolving strategies of key European nations like Norway, Denmark, and the Netherlands, which continue to invest in domestic fossil fuel production, while accelerating low-carbon growth. With UK offshore energy jobs still firmly in the political and media spotlight, underlined by recently announced redundancies at several operators and supply chain companies, the report outlines three offshore energy workforce scenarios (the low, mid, and high cases) and up to £350 billion of future investment in the UK’s offshore energy sector between 2025 and 2035.
Apprentice drop-out rate concerns building sector
Apprentices in the construction industry are dropping out of their training programmes at a faster rate than other sectors because of low pay and a post-Covid desire for a better work-life balance. A gathering of industry professionals heard that 47% of youngsters are leaving the sector before completing their apprenticeship, contributing to a growing skills shortage. The data, from the British Association of Construction Heads, shows that significantly more construction apprentices drop out after 24-months compared to other apprenticeships, 17% compared with 6% in other sectors. Other reasons given for quitting early included young workers wanting the ‘big job’ before putting in the hard graft, a belief that the training is too long, and a perception that working in construction is a job rather than a career. Additional research by Skills Development Scotland showed that just 8% of young people aged 16–18 would seriously consider a construction career.
Accenture: UK tech job market rebounding through AI boom
UK sees tech skills surge, but unbalanced levels of AI upskilling threaten to widen North South digital divide. A surge in demand for AI professionals has helped tech job vacancies across the UK to grow by 21% in a year, with the UK expanding its tech talent pool to its highest level since 2019, according to new data from Accenture’s UK Tech Talent Tracker. The research, which tracks the UK’s technology sector vacancies and skills, indicates a nearly 200% year-on-year increase in demand for AI skills across UK cities. Despite efforts to promote tech innovation in other regions, nearly two-thirds (65%) of technology vacancies are in London – with the capital accounting for 80% of demand for AI skills across all UK cities. Other UK cities have shown promising growth in demand for AI skills, including Glasgow (150%), Liverpool (125%) and Leeds (83%).
https://www.digit.fyi/accenture-uk-tech-job-market-rebounding-through-ai-boom
Revamped Office for Investment cements UK’s position as top investments destination creating jobs and opportunities
The UK’s highest growth sectors are gearing up for an inward investment boost as a new, revamped Office for Investment will provide enhanced high-end investor relations, commercial support and tailored opportunities for those looking to invest in the UK. Minister for Investment Baroness Gustafsson CBE will launch the new Office for Investment which will be laser-focused on securing investment to drive economic growth, job creation and productivity across the UK, as part of the Government’s Plan for Change. The enhanced Office for Investment will be aligned with the Government’s upcoming modern Industrial Strategy, prioritising growth-driving sectors ranging from defence to clean energies, as well as foundational sectors such as steel, critical minerals and logistics. It will also actively pursue and manage major investment projects that support national growth missions and infrastructure strategies, helping to make the UK the best investment destination in the world.