OPITO has published a new report highlighting the difficulties experienced workers face when moving between offshore oil and gas, renewable energy and other safety-critical industries.
Released on 12 October 2026, One Safety Vision examines the recognition of existing qualifications and safety training across the Asia-Pacific region, where workers moving between related industries are frequently required to complete additional certification or repeat assessments.
The findings are based on responses from 390 workers and employers and raise questions about whether current certification arrangements adequately recognise skills and experience gained in other sectors.
Experienced Workers Still Required to Repeat Training
According to the report, more than two-thirds of employers require additional training, certification or assessment when recruiting workers from adjacent industries.
For workers, this can mean completing courses covering subjects they have already studied or undergoing assessments for skills they regularly use in their existing jobs.
More than one-third of workers surveyed reported having to repeat training or assessments despite possessing relevant experience.
The issue is particularly relevant to offshore personnel moving between oil and gas installations, offshore wind projects and other marine energy operations.
Although these industries operate under different regulatory and technical requirements, many occupational safety principles are shared. Emergency response, working at height, confined space entry, fire safety and survival training are examples of areas where workers may already have substantial experience before changing sectors.
However, previous training does not necessarily satisfy the certification requirements of a new employer or industry.
Certification Recognition and Workforce Mobility
The report found that 55% of respondents considered clearer recognition of existing certifications important for improving workforce mobility.
Different industries and employers often use their own training standards, competency frameworks and certification requirements.
As a result, workers with years of practical experience may still face additional costs and delays before becoming eligible for employment in another sector.
For employers, the same situation can complicate recruitment, particularly when experienced personnel are available but do not hold the specific certificates required for a particular project.
The problem is not necessarily a lack of competence. In some cases, it is the absence of an agreed process for recognising qualifications already obtained elsewhere.
What This Means for Offshore and Maritime Workers
For offshore and maritime professionals, the findings reflect a familiar challenge.
An experienced seafarer or offshore worker may hold internationally recognised maritime qualifications, survival training certificates and documented operational experience, yet still need additional industry-specific certification before joining an offshore energy project.
Similarly, personnel moving from conventional offshore oil and gas operations into offshore wind may encounter different training requirements, even where parts of their previous safety training cover comparable risks.
There are legitimate reasons for additional training. Different installations, equipment and operating environments introduce hazards that require specific knowledge.
The question raised by the report is whether existing qualifications and experience could be assessed more consistently, allowing workers to complete only the additional training genuinely required for their new roles.
A Challenge for the Energy Workforce
As offshore energy activities expand and workers move between traditional and renewable energy projects, the recognition of transferable skills is becoming increasingly important.
Unnecessary duplication of training can increase recruitment costs, extend mobilisation times and create additional financial pressure for workers seeking opportunities in another sector.
More consistent recognition of existing qualifications could make it easier for experienced personnel to move between industries without removing the need for job-specific training or safety assessments.
