North Sea firms that are ensuring that new talent remain are attracted to the workforce will be celebrated at an awards ceremony tonight.
Three companies have been shortlisted at the Offshore Achievement Awards for their work with graduates as the North Sea faces thousands of job losses due to high costs and low oil prices – but which still needs to ensure new entrants see it as a long-term career prospect.
Ian Phillips, director of award-backers, the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Aberdeen points to a recent report that highlighted up to 35,000 jobs may be cut over the next five years in the UK upstream oil and gas industry. But the same report, from Oil & Gas UK, Opito and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills also said that 12,000 new entrants will be required up to 2019 to account for those retiring, and to get involved in activity in new areas such as enhanced oil recovery and fracking.
Ace Winches has been selected as a result of its Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) graduate scheme. Since its inception in 2011, 17 students have been enrolled with a 100% retention rate.
The Turriff-based firm has taken its initiative a step further with full accreditation from IMechE, which backs up its internal training with a recognised professional qualification.
Mr Phillips said: “In an increasingly competitive job market, going the extra mile and demonstrating extra interest in enhancing your career can significantly boost job prospects.”
Maersk Oil was selected for its International Technology and Science programme which prepares newly graduated engineers and geoscientists for technical and specialist careers.
Graduates are introduced to live project work from day one, undertaking placements in the UK and internationally during the two year programme. Twelve graduates were selected from 2,500 applications received in 2014, which highlights exactly how fierce the competition in this market is.
Third on the shortlist is Petrofac Offshore Projects and Operations, which has taken a long term approach to its graduate programme, developing and maintaining its own ‘talent pipeline’. Established in 2010, there are currently 90 graduates on the scheme with an intake of 20-30 each year.
The programme spans four years, with the first half focused on the graduate’s specialist area. The remaining two years look at the graduates’ personal development.”
Mr Phillips said: “The schemes from Maersk and Petrofac highlight that as well as a professional qualification, hands on work experience is equally important.”
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