OPITO The Youth Perception of a Career in the Oil and Gas Industry 2016
Contents Executive Summary 3 Gender of Participants 4 Figure 1: Gender of Participants 4 Awareness of Roles and Career Options in the Oil and Gas Industry Figure 2: Awareness of Roles and Career Options in the Oil and Gas Industry 4 4 Interest in Pursuing a Career in the Oil and Gas Industry Figure 3: Interest in Pursuing a Career in the Oil and Gas Industry 5 5 Attractive Factors of a Career in the Oil and Gas Industry Figure 4: Attractive Factors of a Career in the Oil and Gas Industry 6 6 Perceived Future of the North Sea Oil and Gas Industry Figure 5: Perceived Future of the North Sea Oil and Gas Industry Figure 6: Influences to Perception of the North Sea Oil and Gas Industry 7 7 8 Conclusion 9 OPITO OPITO supports the industry to build a sustainable, competent and safe oil and gas workforce. 2
Executive Summary This report provides an analysis of feedback received from three key student events facilitated by OPITO during 2016. The events included Energise Your Future which took place in Aberdeen and was attended by 250 third to sixth year secondary school pupils; Platform of Opportunity which took place in Norfolk and was attended by 175 GCSE, A-level and BTEC Engineering students; and Industry Awareness which took place in Aberdeen and was attended by 80 fifth and sixth year secondary school pupils. Therefore the report presents findings from the collection of data throughout the year from a varied age range of students (generally between 14 and 21 years old) preparing for, and making choices about, their future careers. Beyond requesting feedback regarding the event itself and the organisation of it, which helps us to enhance future experiences, we routinely include a sub-set of questions to help identify students perceptions of the oil and gas industry as a career choice. The responses to these questions are the focus of this report. Also included within the analysis and narrative is relevant supporting data which demonstrates the value of these events in increasing students knowledge of the oil and gas industry and, consequently, their propensity to pursue a career in this sector. From the events analysed, feedback was collected from 381 participants in total, a response rate of 75%. In line with the gender imbalance prevalent within the oil and gas workforce, questionnaire responses from the events were predominantly received from male students; only 13% of returned information pertained to female students. 98% of students who attended one of the sessions felt more aware of the roles and career options the oil and gas industry can offer as a result of their participation. The results also highlighted a strong positive response to the student s interest in a career in oil and gas with 81% of those who returned feedback still keen to pursue a career path within this industry. What was deemed to make the industry an attractive career choice varied, however the most popular response was for the opportunity it provides to work internationally. The students were directly asked if they see a long term future in the North Sea oil and gas industry and encouragingly 77% confirmed that they do indeed consider the industry to be sustainable. However almost a fifth contradicted this answer by replying no. These students were further requested to advise what has guided their thinking and the most frequent influencer was cited as the media, followed closely by family and friends. 3
Gender of Participants and Impact of Event Mirroring the imbalance of gender apportionment seen within the oil and gas workforce, and as is regularly seen at our oil and gas events targeting students, the majority of participants were male. The feedback from the three events this report incorporates was received from 313 male students and 48 female students. A further 20 students chose not to specify their gender. The percentage breakdown is demonstrated below in Figure 1. Figure 2 illustrates the impact our events had on the students awareness of roles and career options in the oil and gas industry. Gender of ParKcipants 13% 5% Male Female Gender not Specified 82% Figure 1: Gender of Participants 80% Following the event I am more aware of the roles and career opkons the oil and gas industry can offer me: 60% 54% 44% 40% 20% 0% 1% 0% 1% Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree Skipped Response Figure 2: Figure Awareness 2: Awareness of Roles of Roles and and Career Options in in the Oil and Gas Gas Industry 4
Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree Skipped Response Figure 2: Awareness of Roles and Career Options in the Oil and Gas Industry Interest in Pursuing a Career in the Oil and Gas Industry Interest in Pursuing a Career in the Oil and Gas Industry We received a total of 371 responses to the question which asked if participants are We received a total of 371 responses to the question which asked if participants are interested in a interested in a career in oil and gas, so 3% of those who provided feedback opted out career in oil and gas, so 3% of those who provided feedback opted out of answering this question. of answering this question. From those who did answer, 81% of students who From those who did answer, 81% of students who attended one of OPITO s industry events are still attended one of OPITO s industry events are still interested in pursuing a career in the oil and gas illustrated below within Figure 3. Again, it is worth noting interested industry, in pursuing as a career in the oil and gas industry, as illustrated overleaf within Figure 3. that thisagain, feedback was given following attendance at one of the events informing of roles it is worth noting that this feedback was given following attendance at one of the events and careers in oil and gas which therefore suggests a response based on a more informing of roles and careers in oil and gas which therefore suggests a response based on a more knowledgeable perception of the industry. knowledgeable perception of the industry. Are you interested in a career in the oil and gas industry? 100% 81% 80% 60% 40% 14% 20% 3% 3% Maybe Skipped Response 0% Yes No Figure 3: Interest in Pursuing a Career in the Oil and Gas Industry Figure 3: Interest in Pursuing a Career in the Oil and Gas Industry 2 P a g e 5
Youth Perception Report Amends Attractive Factors of a Career in the Oil and Gas Industry Participants Front Page: who indicated that they are interested in a career in the oil and gas industry were further requested to identify what it is about the industry that makes it Change date just 2016, remove October. attractive to them. Seven options were provided for students to choose from, these included: Summary: Executive opportunity to work all over the world Replace development and use of cutting edge science and technology first para with: Thisitsreport entrepreneurial spirit of feedback received from three key student events facilitated by OPITO provides an analysis during being part a global community 2016. Theof events included Energise Your Future which took place in Aberdeen and was attended by third to sixth year secondary school pupils; of Opportunity took place in Norfolk and was 250opportunity to continually grow andplatform develop skills andwhich knowledge attended by 175 GCSE, A-level and BTEC Engineering students; and Industry Awareness which took place in salary Aberdeen and was attended by 80 fifth and sixth year secondary school pupils. Therefore the report presents otherfindings (please specify) from the collection of data across the first sixth months of the year from a varied age range of students (generally between 14 and 21 years old) preparing for, and making choices about, their future We received a total of 349 responses to this question, although participants were careers. encouraged to select as many categories as were applicable; 32 participants chose not to answer this question. The most popular reason specified from the given categories was that athe oil and industry is attractive as a career option because Gender of Participants nd Impact of gas Event: of the opportunity to work all over the world. This was relatively closely followed by Add above wording to title. the association with innovation in the form of cutting edge science and technology; At the end of the text add Figure 2 illustrates the impact our events had on the students awareness of the attraction of the salary levels offered by the industry; and the opportunity to grow roles and career options in the oil and gas industry. and develop personal capabilities. A percentage breakdown is demonstrated below within Figure 4. The few respondents who cited an alternative reason expressed a desire to make a difference in the world and spoke of the association with forward Attractive Factors of a Career in the Oil and Gas Industry thinking and innovative processes and equipment within the industry. Replace current graph with (only change is within title): If you are interested in a career in the oil and gas industry, what makes it anrac@ve to you? 40% 30% 24% 20% 20% 18% 19% 12% 6% 10% 1% Figure 4: Attractive Factors of a Career in the Oil and Gas Industry 6 Other Salary Personal Development Global Community Entrepreneurial spirit Science and Technology Work Interna@onally 0%
Perceived Future of the North Sea Oil and Gas Industry Perceived Future of the North Sea Oil and Gas Industry The students were asked if they see a long term future in the North Sea oil and gas The students were asked if they see a long term future in the North Sea oil and gas industry. 97% of industry. 97% of those who participated in providing feedback answered this question. who participated in providing feedback answered this question. The results, represented Thethose results, represented below in Figure 5, indicate that 77% of respondents do still below in Figure indicate that 77% of respondents do is still consider there to be longevity in almost the consider there to5, be longevity in the UKCS. This extremely positive however oneukcs. This is extremely positive however almost one in five demonstrated an unfavourable view by in five demonstrated an unfavourable view by returning a negative response. 2% were undecided and the final 3% did not respond. returning a negative response. 2% were undecided and the final 3% did not respond. Do you see a long term future in the North Sea oil and gas industry? 100% 80% 77% 60% 40% 18% 20% 2% 3% Don't know Skipped Response 0% Yes No Figure 5: Perceived of the North SeaNorth Oil and Industry Figure 5:Future Perceived Future of the Sea Gas Oil and Gas Industry For For two of the three events (Energise Your Future 2016 and Platform of Opportunity 2016) discussed two of the three events (Energise Your Future 2016 and Platform of Opportunity 2016) discussed within this report we asked participants to explain, through free text, within this report we asked participants to explain, through free text, why they do not see a long why they do not see a long term future in the North Sea oil and gas industry, if they hadterm future in the North Sea oil and gas industry, if they had indeed answered no to the previous indeed answered no to the previous question. The key responses focussed on: question. The key responses focussed on: a lack of confidence in long term resources a lack of confidence in long term resources other basins presenting more attractively in terms of investment opportunities other basins presenting more attractively in terms of investment opportunities more future sustainability in alternative energy sectors, namely renewables more future sustainability in alternative energy sectors, namely renewables Evaluations were amended slightly for the most recent event, Industry Awareness in Aberdeen. Participants were provided to event, choose fromawareness to determine what has Evaluations were amended slightly for the options most recent Industry in Aberdeen. influenced their thinking if they do not see a long term future in the North Sea oil and Participants were provided options to choose from to determine what has influenced their thinking gas industry. Their choices included: if they do not see a long term future in the North Sea oil and gas industry. Their choices included: media media family and friends family and friends school school other (please specify) other (please specify) 7 4 P a g e
Perceived Future of the North Sea Oil and Gas Industry continued There was a relatively even split between the media and family and friends negatively influencing perceptions of a sustainable future in North Sea oil and gas, with school following close behind, as illustrated below in Figure 6. However only 20% of all students who evaluated an event provided a response to this question. 60% If you do not see a long term future in the North Sea oil and gas industry, what has influenced your thinking? 40% 33% 30% 26% 20% 11% 0% Media Family and Friends School Other Figure 6: Influences to Perception of the North Sea Oil and Gas Industry 8
Conclusion In conclusion, a male interest in oil and gas continues to dominate representation at our student events. Estimates around the proportion of female employees in the oil and gas workforce generally average around 20%. If this is accurate, then we need to be focused on trying to attract a greater proportion of female students than the 13% we are currently achieving, particularly since feedback demonstrates that our events are having a significant impact on increasing students awareness of the roles and career options offered in oil and gas. 98% of students who participated in the evaluation process indicated an expansion of knowledge was generated from attending one of our careers events. Almost three quarters of students who attended the events are still keen to pursue a career in the oil and gas industry. However it is worth considering that the students in attendance are likely to have an increased interest given that they had, themselves, chosen to take part in an industry specific event. Therefore a strong bias exists and it should be noted that we are evaluating from a pool of participants who have a baseline interest in a career in oil and gas. Driving a desire to work in this sector was primarily detected to be influenced by the capacity to work internationally, to be involved with innovation and for the ability to earn the salaries associated with oil and gas. Despite a general concern with the current messaging being communicated about oil and gas due the challenges facing the industry, a significant 77% of students who provided feedback perceive there to be a long term future in the North Sea oil and gas industry. This is extremely encouraging however we should not lose sight of the fact that roughly a quarter of those who attended the events disagree, suggesting that we are in danger of having a reasonable proportion of future talent discouraged from pursuing a career in this industry. 9
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