Oil, Gas Apprentice Program Encourages More Young Women to Join Sector

Oil, Gas Apprentice Program Encourages More Young Women to Join Sector
The UK's Oil and Gas Technical Apprentice Programme (OGTAP) is marking its 20th anniversary by encouraging more young women to join the oil and gas industry.

The UK’s Oil and Gas Technical Apprentice Programme (OGTAP) is marking its 20th anniversary by encouraging more young women to join the oil and gas industry.

OGTAP, which has supported 1,500 trainees entering the sector, is hosting two free evening events in Aberdeen’s North East Scotland College (NESCOL) on January 24 and 25 in a bid to attract a higher proportion of females to the sector and ‘dispel the myths which may be holding them back’.

Attendees will hear from women working in the industry and get the opportunity to network with current female OGTAP apprentices and course mentors, as well as look around NESCOL’s training facilities.

“The energy sector is incredibly broad in terms of career options, however the technical job roles like technicians and engineers still suffer from the stigma of being seen as traditionally male roles,” OPITO’s chief executive officer, John McDonald, said in an organization statement.

“Our goal with the ‘Girls in OGTAP’ evenings is to ensure that young women can hear from the experts first hand, speak to apprentices already on the scheme and see the surroundings at NESCOL. What better way to allay any concerns they and their parents or guardians may have and gain a better understanding of what being an apprentice involves for women in the energy sector,” he added.

The ‘Girls in OGTAP’ events are aimed at school pupils aged 14 and over who are interested in a career in the energy sector.

Managed by OPITO and the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB), OGTAP has one of the highest achievement rates in the country, as well as the backing of 17 oil and gas operators and major contractors, including BP, Shell, Petrofac, Nexen Petroleum UK Ltd and Aker Solutions. 



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.

Sandra Skinner  |  January 20, 2018
As a female holding an Engineering degree, a LLM and 20+ years in the UK and International Offshore Fabrication Industry I now find myself unable to find work in this or indeed any other industry. I very much hope there are decent jobs for any young girls that go through this programme and they don't find its been nothing more than a box ticking exercise, a token gesture to improve the moral standing of what is still a very much male dominated industry!!!
jcs  |  January 18, 2018
most veteran oil and gas professional would not recommend joining this industry regardless of gender. the environment is too cyclical and harsh. if entering this industry do not expect a career to last at most 10years. after that you will be on the hr radar to remove from service due to your higher salary or whatever they can think of to eliminate jobs to increase the executive bonuses and share holder return.


Most Popular Articles