Skill Shortage in Oil & Gas
17th May 2012
http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=117634
This link takes you to a recent article about the skill shortage in the oil & gas sector.
It discusses the need to encourage more bright school and university leavers to enter the oil & gas sector, primarily in engineering disciplines, in order for the UK to retain its position near the top of the league table in this vital sector.
The principal threat to this supply of the best young candidates is not just the lack of young students who are opting to take science, maths and engineering subjects at A level and degree; but that too many of those achieving the highest grades are tempted away by the potential to earn more in Banking and Business Consulting.
BP, for whom Core are a resourcing partner, are quoted in the article and they are praised for their efforts to attract the brightest graduates to following an engineering career with them.
The article also suggests that the oil & gas sector could reduce the effect of its skills shortage specifically by attracting former military personnel to bring their technical skills and working practices to the sector, once they have completed their tours of duty.
With defence budget cutbacks coinciding with rising unemployment, the oil & gas sector could well play a role in attracting and re-training former military personnel – as engineers or deckhands.
In our professional experience, candidates with military experience often have a range of appealing behaviours, attitudes and skills, including a positive work ethic, willingness to work remotely or away from home and engineering experience where “right first time” is mission critical.
If the oil & gas sector can actively target ex-military staff, they might find a significant addition to the oil & gas talent pool and provide vibrant new careers for former heroes.