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Introduction
The OPITO Study of ApprenticeshipTraineeship Schemes in the Oil and Gas Industry was conducted in collaboration with the Robert Gordon University as
part of a Knowledge Transfer Partnership agreement. The output of this report will assist industry in planning the development of its next generation of talent.
It is widely acknowledged that these schemes DO provide new ‘raw’ recruits with
the pre-requisite knowledge and skills to equip them to move into the industry and operate competently and safely. Whilst there is a general consensus that
more apprenticeshipstraineeships are needed in the industry there is a real disparity between the numbers applying and those recruited. Therefore, it is
vitally important that there is better understanding of the ‘real’ industry demand rather than the ‘perceived’ demand.
This is the first holistic study to be conducted and the findings will be of benefit to the industry as next steps and solutions can be determined through informed
intelligence. The methodology for the collection of data was by on-line questionnaire.
This study focused on information captured from companies falling under three main categories as follows:
1. Companies with an Existing ApprenticeshipTraineeship Scheme
The aim was to obtain details of schemes currently available in the industry, to understand the existing schemes in the industry and the future focus of
these schemes.
2. Companies with Potential New Schemes within the Next Two Years
The aim was to obtain information on schemes currently at the planning stage. This information will help to identify and understand potential new
schemes and their focus.
3. Companies that do not have a Scheme
The aim was to understand the reasons that prevent companies from having apprenticeshiptraineeship schemes. This was further analysed to identify
barriers facing companies interested in implementing a scheme.
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1. Breakdown of Respondent Companies by Industry
Sub-Sector
The majority of the respondents to this study are Engineering, Design and Maintenance companies 29, followed by companies classified as ‘Others’
26. These include companies providing engineering, support functions and laboratory testing services Figure 1-1.
Figure 1-1: Breakdown of Respondent Companies by Industry Sub-Sector 14
29
4 6
3 6
12 26
Breakdown of Respondent Companies by Industry Sub-Sector
Production and Exploration Operators Engineering, Design and Maintenance Companies
Duty Holders Subsea Companies
Drilling Companies Well Service Companies
Manufacturing Companies Others Providing support functions, etc
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2. The Status of ApprenticeshipTraineeship Schemes
The focus of this study was to obtain information on the number and type of apprenticeshipstraineeship schemes in the oil and gas industry, thereby
assisting with the identification of any gaps. 57of the respondents 61 companies
have stated
that they
currently have
at least
one apprenticeshiptraineeship scheme in place while an additional 12 13
companies have stated that they plan to introduce a scheme within the next two years Figure 2-1.
Of the 31 33 companies that stated they do not have or do not plan to introduce a scheme Figure 2-1, the respondents indicate that an
apprenticeshiptraineeship scheme is not suitable for all business activities.
Figure 2-1: Status of ApprenticeshipTraineeship Scheme
Of the 57 of respondents who stated they currently have a scheme it was found that 28 are engineering, design and maintenance companies, followed
by companies providing support functions 21 and production and explorations operators 20. A similar examination of the 12 of respondents
looking to introduce a scheme within the next two years shows that 38 of these are engineering, design and maintenance companies. Figure 2-2 provides
a combined view of Figures 1-1 and 2-1.
Currently has a scheme
57
Will be starting in the
next two years
12
Does not have a scheme
31
Status of ApprenticeshipTraineeship Schemes
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Figure 2-2: Status of ApprenticeshipTraineeship Scheme by Industry Sub-Sector
Engineering, design and maintenance companies make up the sector with the highest number of existing apprenticeshiptraineeship schemes 28, and they
are also intending to introduce the highest number 38 of new schemes over the next two years Figure 2-2.
31 of respondents have stated that they do not currently have a scheme, with the majority of these 39 classified as ‘Others’ Figure 2-2.
Key points of this section: 57 of the respondents currently have an apprenticeshiptraineeship
scheme.
12 state that a new scheme will be introduced within the next two years.
31 do not have a scheme and do not foresee a scheme being in place within the next two years.
The majority of the respondents are engineering, design and maintenance companies, who will be introducing 38 of new schemes
over the next two years.
10 20
30 40
50 Others Providing support functions, etc
Manufacturing Companies Well Service Companies
Drilling Companies Subsea Companies
Duty Holders Engineering, Design and Maintenance Companies
Production and Exploration Operators
Percentage of Respondents In
d u
st ry
Su b
-Se ct
o r
Status of Scheme Based on Industry Sub- Sector
Does not have a scheme Potential scheme in the next two years
Currently has a scheme
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3. Existing and Future ApprenticeshipTraineeship
