The deputy first minister has said the Scottish Government is determined to “broaden our energy propositions” in the north-east amid spiralling unemployment.
Jobs figures released this week showed the number of people claiming out of work benefit in Aberdeen rose by 39% in a year.
The north and north-east regions were the only parts of Scotland to see a rise in the figure as a crisis hangs over the oil and gas industry following the slump in prices.
John Swinney, the deputy first minister, was asked by Labour MSP Richard Baker at Holyrood yesterday what the Scottish Government was doing to support the energy industry in the north-east.
Mr Swinney admitted the claimant count figures were worrying and said the Scottish Government will look at increasing opportunities for workers in other areas of the energy sector.
He said: “We remain focused on employment in the north-east of Scotland, and the employment data are concerning, given the increase in the claimant count.
“That is why the energy jobs task force is focused on supporting companies and why a lot of our work on internationalisation and innovation will concentrate on developments in the north-east.
“The government is determined to ensure that we broaden our energy propositions, which is why we are pressing so hard for a more stable approach to renewable energy policy development in the United Kingdom. That has been singularly absent in the past few months.”