Workers made redundant following the closure of Grangemouth refinery are to be given priority for new roles created through the Grangemouth Just Transition Fund.
The Scottish Government’s £25 million commitment forms part of a new Grangemouth Jobs Prioritisation Scheme, developed in partnership with Unite the Union.
The plan will ensure that all companies receiving funding through the scheme must prioritise eligible former refinery workers in their recruitment processes.
Under the new clause, any business awarded a Scottish Enterprise grant from the fund will be required to participate in the initiative as a condition of investment.
After the crude oil refineries initial closure in April 2025 by Petroineos, a total of 430 employees of the 2,000 workers based at the sprawling 1,700-acre industrial complex lost their jobs.
The move comes as the Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise continue to work with businesses and the UK Government to attract new investment to Grangemouth and support the area’s economic future.
First Minister John Swinney said: “Supporting the just transition to a low carbon economy is one of our highest priorities for government, but we understand the risk this transition brings to businesses and skilled workers in the oil and gas sector.”
He later added that: “We’re taking meaningful steps to ensure that our workers and communities are not left behind in the journey to net zero and that fairness and equality are at the heart of our actions.”
“By ensuring workers who were made redundant following the cessation of refining at Grangemouth are prioritised for these new jobs, we are making sure that public funds directly support people and livelihoods – rightly bringing the workforce with us as we move towards the clean energies of the future.”
Susan Fitzgerald, Unite’s Scottish Secretary, welcomed the move saying: “Unite has fought every day for the replacement of the highly skilled jobs lost as a result of the Grangemouth oil refinery closing.”
She also added: “It is now time to deliver with urgency the promised new jobs and investment for the workers and people of Grangemouth if we are to achieve any resemblance of a genuine Just Transition.”
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