Almost half of employees made redundant due to the closure of Grangemouth’s crude oil refinery have secured other employment, Economy Secretary Stephen Flynn said.
Mr Flynn has written to the Economy, Tourism and Energy Committee to provide further details on the Grangemouth skills intervention scheme.
In a letter addressed to committee convener Duncan Massey, he states that 131 of the 272 former Petroineos refinery workers supported have secured employment.
Mr Flynn said he could not provide a timetable as requested for Project Willow, a joint Scottish Government and UK Government feasibility study exploring low-carbon industrial futures for the Grangemouth refinery site.
He said: “As I mentioned during my evidence session, due to commercial sensitivities I am unable to provide a detailed timeline for each of the Project Willow-related projects that have been allocated or that have noted interest in Grangemouth just transition funding.
“However, I can reaffirm the Scottish Government’s commitment to supporting existing businesses at Grangemouth, unlocking new investment opportunities and working with partners to ensure the site is fit for the future while supporting new jobs and regional economic growth.”
Mr Flynn was able to confirm that out of the 272 former Petroineos refinery workers who were made redundant after the site’s closure in April 2025, 131 have secured employment though the Grangemouth skills intervention.
He said: “The Grangemouth skills intervention scheme, delivered by Forth Valley College with support from Unite the Union and Skills Development Scotland, has been used by the majority of eligible workers, who have overwhelmingly reported positive experiences following completion.
“To date, I understand that 131 out of the 272 former Petroineos refinery workers supported through the Grangemouth skills intervention have secured employment.”
A committee spokesperson confirmed that the letter has been shared with the panel’s members.