74 Pct of Young People in Key Energy Markets Would Consider Energy Career

Seventy-four percent of young people across key international energy markets would consider a career in the energy sector but highlight the perceived requirement for technical qualifications and lack of understanding of opportunities as preventative.

That’s what OPITO, which describes itself as a global skills authority for the energy industry, stated in a release sent to Rigzone recently, which highlighted that the organization commissioned a research project in the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Brazil, and U.S., “to better understand young people’s perceived barriers to entering the energy sector”.

“The report findings clearly identify young people’s perceived barriers to joining the sector as - the requirement for specialist industry qualifications and certifications; a lack of knowledge about the industry and the opportunities it offers; and a requirement to have a STEM-based education,” OPITO noted in the release.

“The data highlights many commonalities across the globe. It’s clear that young people are drawn to the sector by job stability and competitive pay but concerns around a perceived lack of technical qualifications and limited understanding of the industry are significant barriers in attracting new talent to the industry,” it added.

In the release, OPITO stated that, in the last decade, the energy sector has been faced with a skills deficit on a global level. The organization said it is hoped that the data collected from the research will support companies globally to identify opportunities to engage more effectively with young people and develop the sector’s future workforce.

“OPITO work globally supporting workforce development and we are seeing first-hand the struggles to recruit at all levels across the energy mix,” OPITO CEO Stephen Marcos Jones said in the release.

“As nations across the globe look to meet ambitious climate targets, the need for a diverse and sustainable energy mix is more pressing than ever. We must ensure that relevant skills across more mature sectors are applied properly to emerging areas, and that the workforce can see tangible and realistic pathways put in place for them,” he added.

“Additionally, in terms of raw numbers, human capital is our most precious asset; these complex, multi-phase projects that we need to build a secure energy future will not happen without the right workers in the right numbers. That is why appealing to the younger generations, and modernizing attraction practices, is also core to success,” he continued.

OPITO Chief Operating Officer Alex Spencer said in the release, “we are proud to invest significantly in global STEM initiatives through My Energy Future powered by OPITO, which aims to inspire and attract young talent to the energy workforce”.

“Understanding this data and being able to share it with the industry to demonstrate awareness of the challenges in attracting new talent into the industry, is a vital next step for OPITO in supporting the sector to adapt its approach and develop innovative recruitment strategies,” he added.

“OPITO have a deep-rooted commitment to building the provisions necessary to bridge the skills gap within the energy industry. This research makes it clear that we must provide the correct tools to allow young people to fulfil their ambition for energy careers,” he continued.

“Through global initiatives like My Energy Future, OPITO’s Energy Transition Qualifications and by working closely with governments and industry leaders, we remain committed to making sure that individuals are equipped with the skills they need to support the demands of the energy transition both now and in the future,” Spencer went on to state.

OPITO’s research project used survey data from 4,000 participants aged 18-30. The survey was conducted in September.

Rigzone has contacted the International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (IOGP) and the Global Renewables Alliance (GRA) for comment on the OPITO release. At the time of writing, IOGP and GRA have not yet responded to Rigzone’s request with a comment.

The IOGP describes itself as the global voice of its industry, “pioneering excellence in safe, efficient, and sustainable energy supply – an enabling partner for a low carbon future”. The organization notes on its site that its members, integrated energy companies, national oil companies, independent upstream operators, service companies, and industry associations operate around the globe, supplying over 40 percent of the world’s oil and gas demand. 

The GRA was established by the Global Wind Energy Council, Global Solar Council, International Hydropower Association, Green Hydrogen Organization, Long-Duration Energy Storage Council and the International Geothermal Association to unify the global bodies representing the clean technologies required for a net zero world by 2050, the GRA’s site states.

In a statement posted on its site on October 3, OPITO announced that it had launched a new energy industry council to act as a focal point to address the sector’s skills gap and competence challenges across the UK and Europe.

“The purpose of the Industry Advisory Council (IAC), as an evolution of OPITO’s UK board, is to provide valuable guidance and input into the delivery of products and services related to skills, education, workforce development, industry promotion and training and standards,” OPITO said in that statement.

“As a consensus-based, Europe-wide group, the IAC includes operators and supply chain companies representing the wider energy industry, academia, and regulators as well as those that provide consultancy and research services,” it added.

Senior representatives from BP, Equinor, Net Zero Technology Centre (NZTC), Offshore Energies UK (OEUK), Robert Gordon University (RGU), Storegga, TotalEnergies E&P UK Limited, Unite the Union and Worley will participate in the IAC, OPITO noted.

“With input from committee members from across the energy mix, the IAC’s core purpose is to ensure stakeholders have the correct access to training and qualifications to ensure the safety of our workforce remains at the core of operations for the entire industry,” Jones said in that statement.

“The transferability and development of skills is essential for industry growth across the UK and Europe. We are proud to be working with industry leaders who are eager to share their unique expertise and perspectives, contributing to shaping OPITO’s future offering,” he added.

Back in February, OPITO announced that it had appointed Jones as its new Chief Executive Officer “following an extensive search process”. He replaced John McDonald who led OPITO since 2017 and announced his intention to step down in 2023.

“We are delighted to welcome Stephen as OPITO’s new Chief Executive,” OPITO Board Chair John Taylor said in an OPITO statement published on the organization’s website at the time.

“He is a passionate champion of skills, apprenticeships and workforce engagement, and the role of people in delivering the energy transition. His diverse experience, focus on effective partnerships and track record of delivery will provide strategic and operational direction to OPITO’s global business,” he added.

To contact the author, email andreas.exarheas@rigzone.com