Fifty-Three Percent of Oil, Gas Workers Would Quit over Training

More than half of the oil and gas industry's employees would consider leaving an employer due to a lack of training and development, according to a BP-sponsored study of 773 professionals who work in the sector across 24 countries.

Findings from the survey – which was conducted by the Society of Petroleum Engineers – found that 53 percent of respondents said a lack of training and development opportunities would lead them to consider leaving an employer. Seventy-five percent of respondents said that training and development was important in their choice of role, while 37 percent felt that a lack of training in previous roles has held them back in their career.

The survey also found that a quarter of respondents believe the current lack of training and development is detrimental to their career. Fifty-six percent of respondents believe that the employer should provide all or some training to new joiners, although only 11 percent expect their employer to provide all of their training.

The research also found that oil and gas professionals believe that future generations of oil and gas workers require more development during their university years. While universities equipped students either "quite well" or "very well" with industry knowledge and technical and computer skills, they came up short in developing soft-skills that are critical for a successful career in the oil and gas industry. Less than one-third of respondents believed that universities helped students properly develop soft skills such as initiative, flexibility and work ethic.

In November, Rigzone reported that BP had launched a new $7.2-million scholarship program for talented science, technology, engineering and mathematics students as part of the firm's plans to foster an interest in the oil and gas industry among undergraduates. The company also runs "Discovery Days" and internships for promising students.

BP Head of Learning and Development Don Shoultz commented in a statement Tuesday:

"These findings further underscore the challenge the industry faces; we've got an ever growing skills deficit. The industry's more experienced talent needs continually to transfer the knowledge and skills they have built up through mentoring programs. Separately, oil and gas companies, of all sizes, need to ensure they are consistently increasing their investment in formal training and development programs."

A former engineer, Jon is an award-winning editor who has covered the technology, engineering and energy sectors since the mid-1990s. Email Jon at jmainwaring@rigzone.com.

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