Isles MP Angus MacNeil is urging any island resident who has lost their job offshore due to the downturn in the oil and gas industry to check whether they are eligible for funding to retrain.
Skills Development Scotland has launched an online application service for the Transition Training Fund which offers training grants for workers to redeploy in the oil and gas sector or wider energy, engineering and manufacturing sectors.
The fund is part of a £25 million package from the Scottish Government aimed at softening the economic impact of the downturn in the oil and gas sector.
The MP said: “I know that many individuals and their families in the islands have been impacted by the downturn in the oil and gas industry. I would urge anyone who has lost their job or has been informed that they are at risk of redundancy to look at their options such as seeking funding to retrain."
While the Scottish Government provided support, the UK Government has been a "disappointment in its lack of practical support to the sector," he said.
Mr Macneil said the SNP continues to call for incentives for oil firms to explore new opportunities in the North Sea.
Retraining support available for redundant offshore workers
13 June 2016