Member Article

Skills gap identified in North East energy market

There are currently over 1,700 jobs available in the North East energy sector, it has been revealed.

According to NOF Energy, the business development organisation for the oil, gas and energy-related sectors, who carried out research ahead of its Jobs4Energy Recruitment Fair on June 12, the North East energy market has in the region of 1,730 vacancies.

The study of North East energy sector employers also highlighted the variety of roles available across the sector including; project engineers, marine risk management professionals, deepwater drilling specialists and skilled machine tool operators.

These jobs offer positive career prospects and salaries upwards of £30,000 a year for some roles.

As the figures indicate, the sectors are facing ever-increasing skills gaps, which have been attributed to the challenges of an ageing workforce coupled with the continual development of new energy-generating opportunities.

To address this issue, NOF Energy, in partnership with a range of industry employers, is hosting the Jobs4Energy Recruitment Fair at St James’ Park, Newcastle in June.

The event, which is being sponsored by a number of organisations including Jobs@pertemps, AMEC and CTC Marine Projects, will play host to around 30 employers from the oil, gas and energy sectors.

It is also open to experienced energy professionals looking for a new challenge and skilled workers who want to move into the sector from other industries.

Also invited to attend will be schools, colleges and universities to help them find out more about employment opportunities on behalf of their students. The event will also help forge new links between education and employers to arrange work placements, apprenticeships and graduate programmes.

George Rafferty, Chief Executive of NOF Energy, said: “These figures are a strong indication of the challenge facing the North East energy sector and put the skills shortage into clear perspective. Employers are crying out for talented personnel and can offer North East people the opportunity to be part of an exciting, expanding and dynamic sector, which offers secure career opportunities.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .