BLOG:Throwing in the Towel? Some Oil, Gas Workers Choose to Leave Industry

BLOG:Throwing in the Towel? Some Oil, Gas Workers Choose to Leave Industry
Two years into the oil and gas downturn, displaced workers become weary of few job opportunities and explore other options.

While some industry experts and analysts share a bullish outlook on oil prices in the near future, it serves as little consolation to the hundreds of thousands of workers who have been laid off in the past two years due to plunging crude oil prices. Many of these displaced oil and gas workers are still searching for jobs, and while some have desires to stay in the industry, others are opting to leave in search of greener – or, at least more stable – pastures.

I see the emails and read the comments every day. Even the most veteran oil and gas workers – those who have experienced five or more of the boom-bust cycles – are quite concerned with the severity of this downturn. And those same workers remember vividly what happened in the downturn of the early 80s, when oil and gas companies stopped graduate recruitment, contributing to the shortage of skilled workers.

Valerie Jones
Valerie Jones, Careers Editor, Rigzone
Careers Editor, Rigzone

I have friends who worked offshore and tried to “wait it out” for the market recovery, but month after month with no work left their pockets empty and their optimism fading. All of them have since found jobs outside the industry – one owns a trucking company.

So what are oil and gas companies to do? Faced with the task of decreasing capital expenditures (CAPEX), it’s quite difficult to convince people to stay in the same industry that is continuing to lay off workers. It’s seems better to focus on properly managing the individuals still remaining at the companies – being honest and transparent while taking the time to invest in development and training opportunities.

Those workers who wish to remain in the industry may have success in finding work in different sectors or segments of the business. Some may leave to find work and ultimately, come back to the oil and gas industry once projects pick back up. Some may use this time to pursue other business ventures they’ve always wanted to explore. And there are some who will, inevitably, leave the industry and never come back. It’s unfortunate, but expected.

The new face of oil and gas – burgeoning energy professionals – will enter an industry that is as rewarding as it can be unpredictable. And they’ll need to be resilient enough to maintain through the cycles. All the oil price predictions in the world – and they literally change from day-to-day – are not assurance that the industry will be ready to go on a hiring spree anytime soon. Every worker has to be smart and make the right decision for themselves. And the industry will just have to accept that.   



WHAT DO YOU THINK?


Generated by readers, the comments included herein do not reflect the views and opinions of Rigzone. All comments are subject to editorial review. Off-topic, inappropriate or insulting comments will be removed.

Cliff Budd  |  July 05, 2016
I was vice president of a small oil company in 1985, when I got laid off and could not find a job in the oil business. Somehow, I survived, but it wasn't easy. I would not advise any professional to look at the oil business without realizing that you may get laid off and then what. I went back to night school at the Univ. of Houston at the age of 54 for a Masters Degree in another field and it saved me.
John Hansen  |  July 01, 2016
Fortunately for myself my Used by Date came around and at 69 it was time to go, but I really do feel for all those younger people that have been affected by this Mother of all Downturns. One problem I see in the future, and especially for the offshore area, is that all the UKOA, Huet, Sea Survival and Compex Certificates will have expired. The training establishments will have also shut down during the downturn and so it will take a lot of money and time to get people trained and certified. Hopefully in the future there will not be another downturn such as this. The Offshore Industry is a terrific place to work but one must always remember to save for that rainy day. Dispense with buying all the toys and save some of your hard earned money for times such as these.
Pablo Alvarez  |  June 29, 2016
While I agree with Valerie' post, and Randy's comment, where I am not in agreement is the belief that experience or talent will be at a premium. The industry is working very much like the software industry: they have gone from PROGRAMS to APPS. In our case, the industry wants people that can do one thing, at a minimal cost. The hiring structures are now set so that, the moment that person is no longer needed, you uninstall. And BTW, that is not happening only in O&G. It is across many industries. So O&G is not only being affected by low prices. Automation and other labor shifts are hitting it too. Good luck to those that can move out of this.
Randy Verret  |  June 28, 2016
No question the oil & gas industry faces some major challenges once commodity prices recover. We already had the pressure of an upcoming exodus of skilled professionals in the 50-60 year old range. That group has carried the industry for 25 years. Now, we (also) face a large number of younger employees being laid off that (many) may exit the industry as well. Looks like experienced talent will be at a premium as this turn around unfolds...


Most Popular Articles