Thousands of new entrants to join offshore oil and gas industry in next five years
Published: 10 December, 2014
The oil and gas industry, which currently supports one in 80 jobs across the UK, will provide careers for some 12,000 new entrants over the next five years according to a report: ‘Fuelling the next generation’.
The report, produced by professional services firm EY, was commissioned by offshore trade association Oil & Gas UK, sector skills organisation OPITO and the UK Department for Business, Innovation & Skills.
Dispelling the popular ‘ageing workforce’ myth, the report reveals the offshore oil and gas industry has a relatively young workforce. It notes the industry has a lower proportion of over-55s at just over 10% compared to a national average of 32%. In addition, the proportion of those aged 35 and below represents approximately 40% of the workforce compared to a national average of 31%.
The report also shows that the sector is making successful efforts to build a sustainable pool of talent for the future with 86% of companies having programmes in place for graduates and/or apprentices and the sector supporting 6000 graduates and 13,000 apprentices.
