Oil and gas professionals around the world are concerned at a perceived lack of investment in their training and development, according to the world’s largest energy recruitment and employment trends report.
The fourth annual Global Energy Talent Index (GETI) just released by Airswift—global workforce solutions provider for the energy, process and infrastructure sectors—and Energy Jobline—a leading global jobsite for the energy and engineering industries—reveals that nearly half of sector professionals believe their employer does not regularly invest in their training and development and one-in-three claim not to have received any training in the past year.
Airswift and Energy Jobline surveyed 21,000 energy professionals and hiring managers in 169 countries across five industry sub-sectors: oil and gas, renewables, power, nuclear and petrochemicals.
Of those who do receive regular training, most say it relates to improving their current job performance. Few training recipients say it relates to skills beyond their current job (18 per cent) or to further their career (14 per cent).
Janette Marx, CEO at Airswift, says: "The oil and gas sector is blessed with a highly engaged workforce. The question is how to keep ambitious and motivated professionals engaged throughout their careers. Training and development opportunities are clearly a very important piece of the puzzle.
"However, I suspect that there is a perception issue at play in these results. Of course, there is room for improvement and companies should always look to improve the training on offer. But they should also work hard to communicate the opportunities that are already available to make sure employees are aware and able to make the most of them."
In addition to providing much-needed insights into professionals’ satisfaction with training and a number of wider cultural issues, GETI is also the industry’s most comprehensive salary and mobility study.
According to the key findings, remuneration continues to rise, with 42 per cent of professionals having seen an increase in pay over the past year, and one-in-five reporting a raise of more than five per cent
Some 64 per cent of non-hiring professionals expect further pay increases in 2020, with 40 per cent eyeing raises above 5 per cent. Hiring managers report broadly the same expectations: 66 per cent and 40 per cent respectively
Ninety-one per cent of professionals would consider relocating to another region for their job, with career progression opportunities the number one factor attracting talent to a region
Renewables and petrochemicals remain the biggest sources of competition for talent, winning the votes of 43 per cent and 32 per cent of those open to switching sectors, respectively.
Hannah Peet, Managing Director at Energy Jobline, says: "Competition for talent in the energy industry keeps getting tougher and tougher, with an already globally mobile workforce increasingly willing to switch to whichever sector presents the best opportunities.
"The oil and gas sector is well set up to succeed, with pay continuing to rise from a high base. However, it must guard against complacency by prioritising progression and providing a clear career path for all employees, regardless of seniority, location or gender."
