The shortage of skilled personnel is cited as one of the biggest challenges for the UK’s offshore oil and gas industry. It has long been a big issue but this is one British industry that is working cohesively to try and meet the challenge.
Trade body Oil & Gas UK is playing a particularly important strategic role in this regard, as are other key bodies including OPITO – the Offshore Petroleum Industry Training Organisation.
A number of specific initiatives are being considered or are under way, if not across the sector then certainly selectively by individual companies, in a bid to plug the various skills gaps that exist, from apprenticeship for trades level through a host of other disciplines within the industry, not least drilling, subsea, sub-surface, engineering manufacturing, topsides operations and maintenance and so on. They include:
EDUCATION
In education, the pooling of resources and effort under the auspices of OPITO so the industry can reach more schools throughout Britain, more often, and with a consistent message about the importance of and opportunities afforded by studying STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths).
Though the sector has no difficulties in attracting new trainee entrants to the industry, it is important for the long term to sustain a pipeline of school leavers and graduates with STEM qualifications, not just for the long-term success of the industry, but for UK plc.
ARMED FORCES
North Sea operators and especially their supply chain are building a high-level industry relationship with the Ministry of Defence (MoD). There’s a huge and skilled body of people in the Army, Navy and Royal Air Force – around 18,000 to 20,000 men and women – due to leave the armed forces annually over the next three years. OPITO is working with the MoD to map and identify skills in the industry and match them against military roles.
ACCELERATED PROGRESS
Some companies are developing discipline work groups to explore the feasibility of transition training/accelerated development of people already working in the industry.
SMARTER TRAINING SOLUTIONS
By creating smarter training solutions, for example, through possible development of facilities that could be used as an assessment/proving centre for skilled workers from other industries and to reduce the offshore training time required for trainees. A feasibility study is underway for this initiative.
So what are the gaps that need plugging?
Every company is different but, for example, a significant number are struggling to find supervisors, project managers, construction managers; people who are competent leaders and experienced at working on large-scale projects.
Crucially, there is also the lack of good tradesman, though there are some excellent initiatives under way, such as the scheme to train up 1,000 skilled welders and related trades over three years at Global Energy, based at Nigg.
Drilling and well-service positions are frequently under-resourced, but when the industry like this is on a major up-swing, it is inevitable that most roles are challenging to fill.
Regardless of the many and varied skills gaps, to prosper in the oil and gas industry you need to be prepared to work hard and be prepared to learn a lot of things quickly. It’s about adaptability, flexibility – not being afraid to learn.
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