With a base case deployment scenario of more than 18GW, this will require an active workforce of more than 31,000 employed in floating offshore wind by 2040.

The recently published ‘Floating Offshore Wind People, Skills and Vocations’ project maps out the key skills and jobs required in order to develop, deliver, operate, and maintain a FOW wind farm.

The report uses this information to future-cast the industry’s people, skills, and vocation requirements needed in the UK by 2040 for a range of deployment scenarios.

Using a high, base, and low case FOW growth forecast based upon previous work carried out by the FOW CoE, the report identifies a need for between 22,000 and 67,000 in the active workforce by 2040. This number will depend on the deployment strategy pursued by the UK.

The report also assesses the current and projected future access to the skills needed. By using the information, it can be determined where skills access could be constrained in future and the knock-on effects for the timely and cost-effective delivery of all FOW projects.

Key shortfalls in skills and jobs have been identified in a number of areas. This includes development and consenting, project management, electrical and high voltage electrical systems (including cable jointing), and a range of vocations and skills associated with fabrication and advanced manufacturing.

More broadly there is a shortfall in digital skills across all areas and, to a lesser extent, most engineering disciplines. The importance of minimising barriers for transitioning skills from the traditional oil and gas sector and military to the floating offshore wind sector has also been highlighted in the report.

This is particularly relevant to marine operations and maintenance activities.

Opergy director and one of the authors of the report, Martin Dronfield, said: “The UK is already home to the world’s largest deployment of floating offshore wind and one of the largest offshore wind markets in the world.

“Floating turbines are now being deployed in deeper waters, which unlocks huge new areas for offshore wind deployment around the UK. Floating Offshore Wind offers huge opportunities, including supporting the UK in reaching net zero by 2050.

“The scale of the opportunity must not be underestimated. By 2040, we could see over 31,000 active jobs in FOW for a base case deployment scenario of 18GW.

“Whilst it is clear the UK has the potential to be world leaders in FOW, it also highlights that it is vital we address our potential skills shortage in order to achieve this,” he added.

The report identifies a number of opportunities to address the challenges ahead.

“This includes the establishment of dedicated training centres close to ports and fabrication facilities (similar to approaches used in oil and gas and more recently nuclear) and accelerating the work to efficiently transition workers from oil and gas to offshore renewables.

“In particular, the areas of subsea engineering and marine operations are highlighted. The study also calls for working closely with existing offshore wind skills programmes to ensure the sector attracts the best young talent alongside drawing in key skills from the military.

It is also noted that whilst this report provides a clear understanding of the skills and vocations required in the FOW industry, further work would provide finer details on the potential people, skills and vocations shortages that could arise and how best to address these, particularly on a regional level.

Ralph Torr, head of floating wind at the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, said: “Access to the right skills shall be vital to the success of floating offshore wind in the UK and internationally.

“The UK already has extensive experience in offshore wind and oil and gas.” “Combined, these skills sit at the heart of what we need to deliver floating offshore wind projects.

“However, the deployment of floating offshore wind between 2030 and 2050 is unprecedented in its speed and scale.

“As such, we need to ensure that we play an active role in developing and sharing skills, knowledge and experience.

“We look forward to creating a large, highly skilled and flexible workforce to deliver our offshore energy needs to 2050 and beyond.” he added.

RenewableUK's deputy chief executive officer, Melanie Onn, said: "This report is timely as it highlights the wide range of unique skills needed to enable us to scale up floating wind successfully in the years ahead.

“It shows that there are the gaps in our current workforce which we must address immediately so that we can build up an innovative new industry in the UK, including a vibrant supply chain.

“This will provide opportunities for us to export our goods and services around the world, as we are a global leader in this cutting-edge technology.

“The offshore wind sector as a whole is set to employ 100,000 people by the end of this decade.

“Floating wind has a key role to play in the massive ramping up of capacity we need to stay on track to reach net-zero.

“We need all parts of the energy sector to work together to get us there.

“This is why, for example, we're encouraging workers with transferable skills from the oil and gas sector to bring their valuable expertise to floating wind".

The report, in partnership with the FOW CoE, is delivered by the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult.

The full report can be viewed and downloaded online.