Oil & gas jobs to rise by 39,000
4 Apr 2014
The oil and gas sector could create up to 39,000 jobs in the UK over the next two years, according to new research released today from the Bank of Scotland.
The bank surveyed 100 companies within the industry and 69% of company executives were confident about their jobs growth prospects for the next two years.
However, 38% of respondents also cited a shortage of skilled workers would be a problem in their recruitment.
“The report highlights the growing challenges posed by the lack of a skilled workforce,” said Bank of Scotland commercial area director Stuart White. He added that apprenticeships would be one answer to the problem.
The report highlights the growing challenges posed by the lack of a skilled workforce
Stuart White
Trade body Oil & Gas UK said that while there was “an undeniable skills shortage within the industry”, it was “actively addressing the skills shortage in the short and long term in a number of ways”.
“For example, the industry continues to be successful in attracting school leavers and graduates by engaging with young people to encourage the uptake of STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects and stimulate interest in the sector,” said Oil & Gas UK employment and skills issues manager Dr Alix Thom.
“We are also seeing a number of retirees returning to the oil and gas workforce in a number of flexible arrangements in order to share their skills, experience and knowledge with upcoming colleagues.
”Other initiatives include helping to facilitate the transition of skilled people into the industry from other sectors, including the UK armed forces where skills such as engineering, logistics and project management are widely transferable to the oil and gas industry.”
