North Sea recruitment to hit record levels

North Sea recruitment to hit record levels

A record 98% of North Sea oil and gas sector contractors expect to recruit new staff in the next year but skills shortages and recruitment difficulties are holding back growth, according to a report.

 

Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce (AGCC) and law firm Bond Dickinson say in the report that recruitment problems are at the highest level since 2007 and half of the companies surveyed lost core staff during the year. Some 75% of operators and 68% of contractors reported recruitment problems.

 

Over half of companies increased numbers employed this year and average pay rose 6.5% for operators and 4.8% for contractors. The number of operators facing staff retention problems in the last year rose to 64% compared to 25% the year before. Contractors facing retention problems however fell from 51% last year to 49%.

 

The most common reasons given for losing employees is retirement and staff moving to other UK Continental Shelf based firms. Drilling related vacancies are the hardest for operators to fill while contractors say that recruiting engineers with offshore experience is particularly difficult.

 

AGCC chief executive Robert Collier said: “Of course the good news is that the sector and the north-east continue to see record levels of activity. This time we are reporting our highest ever level of companies recruiting in the contracting sector.

 

“This brings challenges around how vacancies will be filled but we fully expect the sector to met these challenges and continue to deliver for the north-east, Scottish and UK economies.”

 

Photo: Tom Jervis

Please rate

Comments 

Name
Email
  Ctrl + Enter

Most Read

Network Rail tenders £1.7bn minor works contract

Network Rail tenders £1.7bn minor works contract

Network Rail Southern Region is seeking 16 contractors for a new minor works framework.   The minor works buildings and civils framework (MWF-B&C) is divided into nine lots for unplanned, planned and cyclical maintenance works.   The £1.7bn framework is designed to align

Contractor signed for the construction of a £9m new Trent bridge

Contractor signed for the construction of a £9m new Trent bridge

A bridge is being built to connect pedestrians and cyclists in the Lady Bay area south of the river with the Trent Basin waterside housing estate on the north side of the river, close to Nottingham city centre.   It will be the first new crossing of the Trent in the city for 65 years.

Women in Rail Conference marks end of 10th anniversary celebrations

Women in Rail Conference marks end of 10th anniversary celebrations

Women in Rail (WR) marked the end of its 10th anniversary celebrations with its annual Conference on Thursday 2nd March 2023.   The hybrid event, hosted by London law firm Stephenson Harwood, brought together 120 in-person attendees and a virtual audience of almost 100. Tickets had sold out

This website uses cookies to enhance your user experience. By continuing to use this site, you consent to our use of these cookies. See our Cookie Policy.