INTERNATIONAL Canada: ‘Complex labour story’ of 9,500 oil hires needed
1 June 2012
Canada's oil & gas sector will need to bring a minimum of 9,500 new people into the industry by 2015, according to a report released today by industry body the Petroleum Human Resources Council of Canada.
Fri, 1 Jun 2012
Canada's oil & gas sector will need to bring a minimum of 9,500 new people into the industry by 2015, according to a report released today by industry body the Petroleum Human Resources Council of Canada.
The report actually shows that in this time the industry is at risk of losing about 3% of jobs, partially due to low natural gas prices. However, given its ageing workforce and the fact that some areas of the industry will be growing, there will still be a net need to bring people into the industry.The figure includes a projected increase by 29% over 2011 levels of jobs in the oil sands project by 2015, representing 5,850 jobs. The oil sands projects harvests oil naturally saturated across the province of Alberta and has been much criticised by environmental groups.
The council’s executive director Cheryl Knight admits that the report presents a “complex labour story”. She says that the “total number of jobs will remain relatively flat”, but calls employee turnover “the wild card that could have recruiters working to fill hundreds of additional job openings over the next four years”.
Knight continues: “At a more granular level, we're seeing high demand for, and reduced supply of, skilled workers in specific occupations, many of which are unique to the oil & gas industry.
“Retirements are the greatest cause of this growing – and alarming – skill and experience gap. The technical capabilities and knowledge of retiring, experienced workers are just not easily replaced by new entrants.”
Canada's oil & gas sector will need to bring a minimum of 9,500 new people into the industry by 2015, according to a report released today by industry body the Petroleum Human Resources Council of Canada.
The report actually shows that in this time the industry is at risk of losing about 3% of jobs, partially due to low natural gas prices. However, given its ageing workforce and the fact that some areas of the industry will be growing, there will still be a net need to bring people into the industry.The figure includes a projected increase by 29% over 2011 levels of jobs in the oil sands project by 2015, representing 5,850 jobs. The oil sands projects harvests oil naturally saturated across the province of Alberta and has been much criticised by environmental groups.
The council’s executive director Cheryl Knight admits that the report presents a “complex labour story”. She says that the “total number of jobs will remain relatively flat”, but calls employee turnover “the wild card that could have recruiters working to fill hundreds of additional job openings over the next four years”.
Knight continues: “At a more granular level, we're seeing high demand for, and reduced supply of, skilled workers in specific occupations, many of which are unique to the oil & gas industry.
“Retirements are the greatest cause of this growing – and alarming – skill and experience gap. The technical capabilities and knowledge of retiring, experienced workers are just not easily replaced by new entrants.”
