KONGSBERG Maritime has launched a new scholarship in a bid to tackle what it calls a “chronic shortage” of electronic engineers entering the oil and gas industry.
The firm, the UK division of Norway’s Kongsberg Group, has joined forces with Robert Gordon University’s School of Engineering to offer talented students on the MEng and BEng courses in electronic and electrical engineering financial support worth £4,500.
It will also include an opportunity to work with an industrial mentor and summer placements.
Kongsberg said many oil and gas companies already struggle to recruit electronic engineers and it is anticipated that demand for their skills will continue to increase with development of the offshore renewable industry.
Dave Shand, general manager offshore at Kongsberg Maritime, said: “Despite the demand there is a worrying decrease in applications for electronic engineering degrees all over Scotland.
“Although the role of an electronic engineer is not perceived to be as glamorous as other offshore jobs, they are the glue which holds the industry together as they are responsible for everything from designing products and systems to supporting offshore operations.
“We hope that the scholarship programme will increase awareness of the opportunities for electronic engineers in the oil and gas sectors, and help to tackle the skills shortage that the industry currently faces.”
Kongsberg Maritime already offers a scholarship through the University of Aberdeen, which was won this year by Samuel Ore from Nigeria.
The scholarship was created with the university to help ease the financial pressure on talented students and to raise the profile of future employment opportunities with the company.
Currently in the third year of a BEng Honours degree in electrical and electronic engineering, Mr Ore will receive around £4,500 to support him throughout his studies.
As part of the scholarship, he will be given a mentor at the company and is in line for an internship at Kongsberg Maritime next year, depending on academic performance.
Kongsberg Maritime offers vessel positioning, marine automation, process automation, survey and ROV instrumentation. It also specialises in, process simulation and integrated operations through Kongsberg Oil & Gas.