Forth Valley College to offer support to workers at risk from Grangemouth closure
Up to 400 jobs will go when the site becomes a fuels import terminal next summer
A college will offer "bespoke support" for workers impacted by the closure of the Grangemouth refinery, the UK Government has announced.
Plans for the closure of the site in the second quarter of next year, with the loss of up to 400 jobs, were announced by owners Petroineos last month.
The news appeared to come as a surprise to both Governments, which immediately announced £20 million in funding to support the workers; the money coming on top of an already announced £80 million as part of the Falkirk and Grangemouth Growth Deal.
Forth Valley College will receive funding to offer support to workers at risk of redundancy to help them into new jobs in the local area, while the college will also contact workers to understand their skills and identify gaps which could land them work in the green energy projects.
As a result, the UK and Scottish Governments will offer "targeted interventions" to upskill the workforce ahead of the closure of the refinery next year.
UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: "We continue to stand with Grangemouth workers and we are putting money on the table to secure workers good onward employment.
"By working in partnership with the Scottish Government, we've unlocked an unprecedented joint investment plan to support workers and secure Grangemouth's future, and I will continue to spare no effort to drive this work forward."
Scotland's acting Energy Secretary Gillian Martin said looking after the workforce was the "immediate priority" of the Government after the "regrettable" decision to close.
"We will do everything we can to ensure they are supported to retrain and move into adjacent industries within the wider Grangemouth area," she said.
"These workers are highly skilled and have an important contribution to make locally and nationally.
"Our investment will help to unlock valuable new opportunities for them and ensure that their skills and experience continue to benefit industry in the area and the wider community."