A Just Transition - my energy transition from a high-carbon to a low-carbon job

Author: James Irvine, Delivery Project Manager, SSEN Transmission

I’ve worked for most of my career in offshore oil and gas. I had some forays into technology development, so it felt like a big change to move into electricity transmission. But, eight months ago, this is exactly what I did when I joined SSE. This blog explores the skills and experience I found to be transferable. I will also share what challenges and opportunities I have faced during my first six months. And most importantly, how this transition to a green job has felt.

Transferable skills and experience

The oil and gas industry provided me with a tremendous environment in which to learn and develop. That sector was and still is undertaking projects of immense complexity and continues to innovate in that regard. It has robust processes and procedures. Collaboration in the sector is mature across:

· safety

· operational best practice

· supply chain engagement and management

The workforce is highly skilled and professional. I’ve found that so much of what I’ve learned is applicable in an electricity transmission context:

· project management methodologies

· engineering knowledge

· quality and safety principles

· commercial principles

· how documents are controlled and managed

I have benefited from some experience in onshore projects. But a lack of this experience wouldn’t be a barrier to others thinking about joining the sector. There are both onshore and offshore divisions of the capital development and delivery directorate within SSEN Transmission .

Challenges and opportunities

Walking in on day one, there was an initial sense of difference as the context had changed and the terminology with it. But, the key attributes of a project manager include versatility and the ability to adapt to new situations and circumstances. So it hasn’t taken too long to get to grips.

The learning journey continues but it feels like less of a challenge and more of an exciting opportunity. I’ve taken steps to professionalise project delivery in myself and others. And that has bound me up ever closer to the Association for Project Management .

I completed my APM qualifications and became a Chartered Project Professional. I have grown as a project practitioner, learning a common project “language” which has a level of fluency across industries. This has given me a platform to build on as I get my head around the design and construction of very different infrastructure. To others considering a similar move, the APM can provide that common thread between different sectors. It is becoming more and more widely recognised and followed.

How has it all felt?

My short journey at SSE has so far been novel and exciting. There is an unprecedented pipeline of work that extends out well beyond 2030. This will provide a level of job security and potential for career progression as time goes on. There is an enormous amount of energy about the place. And demonstrable growth, with near-daily new starts within the transmission business. While that will bring its own challenges, there is also an incredible opportunity to seed the business with knowledge, experience and ideas from a variety of other sectors. If harnessed and developed effectively this could be a powerful change catalyst. This suggests an exciting future for SSE as it capitalises on increasing diversity in its workforce. Each of us are playing a part in the delivery of a network for net zero.

Change in life is a given, so it makes sense to embrace it and take full advantage. I have enjoyed my first eight months at SSE. I’d encourage anyone who is considering a similar move to reach out or apply.

We have opportunities to join the SSEN Transmission capital delivery team now. You can play a key role in the successful implementation of large capital projects across the North of Scotland.

If you are passionate about Scotland's goals for achieving net-zero emissions, be a part of the transformative journey. Visit our careers website to apply.