Industry faces key-worker shortage - Solutions are available to resolve the looming tight market for skilled positions in the oil and gas industry

摘要

The oil and gas industry has long been associated with cyclical employment patterns, as commodity prices fluctuate. Three decades of high production and mass hiring, starting in the 1970s, followed by lower prices and layoffs, have soured an entire generation of workers. Presently, high hydrocarbon prices and a graying workforce has led to a new batch of industry hiring. However, the workforce has changed drastically over this period. With few traditional sources of workers available, executives are forced to find new ways the recruit, develop and retain key skilled employees (Figure 1).