Member Article

Offshore recruiter backs apprenticeship drive

A Hartlepool offshore recruitment specialist has welcomed the Government’s drive to create thousands of new engineering apprenticeships as a vital component in tackling the industry’s skills shortage.

Paul Cave, managing director of Seatechs, has around 10,000 people on his books and works with oil and gas, renewables and telecoms clients across the globe from the Redcar Windfarm in the Tees Bay to projects in Brazil and China.

The £8m turnover company also receives “dozens” of speculative CVs every day from people keen to work offshore, but many do not have the essential transferrable skills.

Paul, who set up the business in 2007 after a 25-year career in the offshore industry, said: “I’ve been contacted by bricklayers, carpet fitters and even a prison officer who for one reason or another want to try their hand working offshore.

“But they can’t offer anything to a company which is drilling for oil miles out to sea. There’s no doubt they have a wealth of experience in their own fields but they’re not what the companies we supply to are looking for.”

Demand for staff is increasing but the average age of offshore professionals is around 48. The majority of people do not work in the industry much beyond the age of 50 because of the physical and emotional demands of the job.

“So how do we ensure that as those workers retire, people at the other end of the career ladder are ready to step up to replace them?” said Paul.

Few companies offer simulated training because of the expense, but there is a need for a structured solution to the lack of young people to replace them, he added.

Paul said: “The offshore industry does have an ageing population and while the skills and expertise of these workers are vital to its continued growth, it does equally present longer term challenges. We have to do everything we can to ensure that as experienced workers retire, the next generation is ready to come through and that means investment in young people is key.”

The Government this week pledged to create 100,000 engineering apprentices by 2018, supported by £10m from the Gatsby Foundation which was set up by Lord Sainsbury. Both established and new apprenticeship schemes will be included in the initiative, which is backed by the Institutions of Mechanical Engineers, of Civil Engineers, and of Engineering and Technology.

Paul said: “I’m pleased to hear that the Prime Minister has unveiled a new scheme which aims to create an additional 100,000 engineering apprentices over the next five years.

“Young, skilled workers are crucial to the long term future of the industry and if we support them with the right training and opportunities, we can ensure the UK remains at the forefront of global development.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Karen Dent .