Skills shortages in the energy industry

The next decade could see skills issues for the energy industry, a recent survey conducted by the Energy Institute (EI), Norman Broadbent and Deloitte has revealed.

The research targeted 300 energy organisations, 2,400 individuals employed in the energy industry and HR personnel from EI partner organisations and other company contacts.

The findings

With the recent decline in the birth rate of western nations, and the large scale downsizing and lack of recruitment in the sector since the 1980s, the energy industry now finds itself with an ageing workforce rapidly approaching retirement.

Year on year, large scale retirement and a lack of experienced professionals for key roles led 70% of respondents to believe that there will not be sufficient leadership talent to meet the challenges of an expanding industry.

In addition, the steadily decreasing pool of new entrants to the labour market is accompanied by a decline in the scientific, engineering and technical (SET) skills of these new entrants, as other industries compete for these skills. While many companies have grown in terms of personnel, many have found that a wide variety of skills are in short supply.

One of the more promising findings of the survey is that almost 75% employed in energy have enjoyed their career and would recommend it to others.