With the oil and gas sector tackling the challenges of a demanding business environment, employment opportunities for recent graduates in trainee positions have been impacted, with a number affected by redundancy. Oil & Gas UK is running a free of charge workshop at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre on December 16th to provide support to displaced graduates and those that have completed industry related degrees but have not found employment.
Dr Alix Thom, Oil & Gas UK’s employment and skills issues manager, said: “Our industry is operating in challenging conditions where rising costs and lower oil prices have resulted in significant job losses and adversely affected employment opportunities for young people interested in the sector. Yet despite current challenges, estimates suggest remaining reserves on the UK Continental Shelf could provide energy – and employment - for many years to come.
“We will continue to require skilled young people equipped to grasp the opportunities that our industry will undoubtedly present in the future. In the meantime, we want to support and offer encouragement to those impacted and this workshop is tailored to this particular group.”
Representatives from Skills Development Scotland, The Energy Institute, OPITO, the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), the Oil and Gas Innovation Centre, the Association of Project Management, University careers advisors and the nuclear sector will participate in the event. They will be on hand to help young people who have recently graduated, and others experiencing redundancy, understand what actions they can take to increase their employability in the industry and to broaden their awareness of other industries where their skills may be in demand. The keynote speech will be delivered by Matt Corbin, UK Managing Director – Aker Subsea of Aker Solutions.
Dr Thom adds: “The three hour event, which starts at 1.30pm, will be an interactive session with participants being given the opportunity to source advice from experts from a variety of industrial organisations in a series of workshops. For the purpose of ensuring the workshop is as interactive as possible, the event will be limited to 80 people so I would suggest that early booking is essential.”
Bookings can be made via Oil & Gas UK’s Eventbrite website at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/graduate-support-workshop-tickets-19821263934 or here .
Further information is available from Lucy Gordon at lgordon@oilandgasuk.co.uk or 01224 577331.