Out of work oil workers in one of Aberdeen’s more affluent suburbs are being given support in their search of new employment from a voluntary job club.
A group of experienced oil and gas professionals and business people have created the club in Banchory, in the heart of the Royal Deeside, 16 miles west of Aberdeen.
Banchory has grown over the past 40 years from a small, rural, farming town into a commuter hub for hundreds of oil workers in highly paid jobs in Aberdeen’s oil and gas industry.
As the oil crash has hit the north east, many people who thought they had a highly paid job for life have been left looking for alternative employment.
Businessman Don Morrison, a member of Banchory Ternan Church, called up friends and business contacts to help him set up the job club at the church last April.
The open session is held every Monday and allows those looking for work to get practical advice on navigating the job market.
“Some people haven’t updated their CV in years, so we can help them with that. We also help with interview techniques and job applications.”
“I have enlisted help from friends who have years of experience. One is an offshore installation manager, another works in HR for a major oil company. We all have many years of experience and hopefully, this can be of some help to people,” said Morrison.
“We’ve had some success with securing work for people – we helped around 8-9 people this year and we are seeing that people are looking for options outside the oil and gas sector and away from Aberdeen and the north east. Another guy is looking to set up his own business.”
“Sometimes it’s just somewhere for people to get support when morale begins to decline.”
Morrison, is also project manager for Aberdeenshire South Foodbank, also held in Banchory Ternan West Church.
“I’m not aware of people looking for food as a result of losing their jobs in the oil industry, but we are here if people need our help.”
Don Morrison’s Monday Morning Group: supporting folk into work is held on Monday mornings at 10:00 in The Murray Room, at Banchory Ternan West Church. Contact 01330 811533 Mobile: 078090 25143 for more information.
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