UK Government Reacts to Oil, Gas Worker Discrimination Claims

UK Government Reacts to Oil, Gas Worker Discrimination Claims
Businesses should be in no doubt that the oil and gas industry in Scotland has one of the most highly skilled workforces in the world, the UK Government tells Rigzone.

Businesses should be in no doubt that the oil and gas industry in Scotland has one of the most highly skilled workforces in the world, the UK Government told Rigzone in response to claims that former oil and gas workers were being discriminated against when trying to find work in other sectors.

Aberdeenshire East Member of Scottish Parliament (MSP) Gillian Martin wrote to UK Employment Minister Damian Hinds asking for an examination into how widespread this trend has become, after stating that she has seen documentary evidence of some level of discrimination, the BBC reported Monday.

A spokesperson for the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) confirmed receipt of the letter and said that it would formally respond in due course.

“The UK government is rightly proud of the oil and gas workers who have been on the frontline of an industry facing unprecedented challenges. Where jobs have been lost in the sector, we’re determined to hold on to that talent,” the BEIS spokesperson said.

“That’s why we published the oil and gas workforce plan and expanded the Talent Retention website to give workers greater access to new opportunities in more than 1,000 engineering and manufacturing companies,” the spokesperson added.

In July 2016 the oil and gas workforce plan was published to help skilled workers in the oil and gas sector find work in the wider engineering industry. BEIS told Rigzone that a wide range of companies with vacancies are currently looking for the skill set that oil and gas workers have.

Over the past two years the UK Government has delivered a package of measures worth $2.8 billion (GBP 2.3 billion) to encourage investment in the sector and support jobs, BEIS said.



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.

Keith  |  February 17, 2017
Classic screw up, your too old employers say. Workers say thats it i`am finished with oil & gas the employment is too erratic. The employers we cannot find workers so we have to ship them in from overseas. The downturn has been used to drive wages down, they lay off very seasoned & experienced workers and then use the agencies to recruit overseas and pay them lower wage rates. So every time the seasoned workers apply the resume goes in the waste bin. The agencies are working with the employers to claim a shortage of home grown workers. The general public are being told a pack of lies and the same strategy is being worked by all the oil majors. Now immigration are on to them and they have started pulling the work permits and visa`s. So the employers are frantic trying to get their workers permanent residency status and they will hit Trump head on if he refuses the immigrant workers their PR status. Its a complete mess and employers are discriminating against home grown labor and thats a fact .
Johnwg  |  February 17, 2017
It is true that in the UK ex oil/gas people have found things difficult. Firstly because companies in other sectors fear that they will just go back to oil & gas when the industry picks up again. Secondly because there is a measure of new standards and techniques to learn in other sectors and companies look first for people with the skills who dont need re-training.
Paul  |  February 17, 2017
The government needs to take action, I recently was informed by the job centre in Aberdeen to take Oil & Gas off my CV in order to increase the possibility of employment. What use is this advice to someone who has over 30 years experience in this sector!
John  |  February 15, 2017
The discrimination against hiring ex oil and gas personnel is a global issue. The problem has existed for a long time, even here in Australia.
Bob Smith  |  February 15, 2017
I dont know about Scotland but I have seen job ads in the US they specifically request that people with oil and gas experience not apply.
Andrew  |  February 15, 2017
Has anyone thought about the offshore workers who live in England, its not just the ones in Scotland who are struggling to find work.


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