Is the Oil and Gas Industry Facing a Skills Crisis?

Following a survey of more than 17,000 industry professionals, the Global Energy Talent Index (GETI) warns the oil and gas sector could be facing a serious skills shortage. The report cites the recent oil downturn as a driving force, with plummeting prices forcing companies to slash graduate recruitment rates and cut down apprenticeships. The GETI report predicts the crisis will continue to develop over the next five years and will eventually lead to increased costs and a slump in productivity.

"Having cut graduate schemes, apprenticeships and training during the downturn, the sector is playing catch-up," says Janette Marx, CEO at Airswift, a leading workforce solutions company for the energy and infrastructure industries. She asserts that if companies want to beat the crisis, they will need to proactively invest in their talent strategies and ensure a new generation of skilled employees emerge in the talent pool.

Graduate priorities and renewables sector fuel skills shortage

A lack of qualified engineering professionals is set to cause headaches for the oil and gas industry, with the GETI report revealing that many graduates are instead flocking to the technology sector. The predicted skills shortage could also be influenced by a shift in employee priorities, with many young graduates prioritising career growth and promotion opportunities in favour of large salaries.

The rapidly growing renewables sector could also contribute to a skills shortage, with 42% of respondents admitting they would consider transitioning to industries like wind energy and solar power in the next three years.

Oil and gas industry urged to adapt to changing trends

Recruitment experts maintain that in the face of changing attitudes and industry trends, oil and gas companies must adapt if they want to secure top talent. This includes providing applicants with more opportunities to expand their skillsets, experiment with exciting new technologies and enjoy the option of international travel prospects.

In the face of a skills shortage, maximising productivity is a top priority for oil companies. Using a major oil refinery located on the Gulf Coast of the United States as a case study, 'Multipoint Thermal Mass Flow Meter Optimizes Refinery’s Boiler Air-To-Fuel Mixture Ratio For Higher Operating Efficiency' explores how process and instrument engineers overcame major issues by installing next-generation MT100 multipoint flow meters. This allowed the plant team to optimise the boiler’s fuel-to-air mixture ratio and as a result, improve efficiency of the boiler system, lower operational costs and reduce its environmental footprint.