Oil and gas businesses need to adapt to automation and digitalisation to reshape and revitalise their workforces, according to the second annual Global Energy Talent Index (GETI), one of the world’s largest energy recruitment and employment trends reports
The report has been published by Airswift, the global workforce solutions provider for the energy, process and infrastructure sectors, and Energy Jobline, the world’s leading jobsite for the energy and engineering industries. It indicates that about 77 per cent of professionals believe automation and digitalisation are positive developments for the sector, overriding any concerns respondents might have about their own job security.
Some of the major survey findings of more than 20,000 energy professionals include:
· Four-in-ten respondents cited increased happiness over the past three years attributed to digitally-enabled trends like flexible working
· More than half of professionals expect a pay increase in 2018, with 25 per cent expecting rates and salaries to rise by more than five per cent
· About 56 per cent of professionals would consider switching to another sector, with 28 per cent eyeing renewables
Janette Marx, CEO at Airswift, said, “Last year’s GETI was a huge success as hiring managers valued the insights about the expectations of the energy workforce. This year we’re building on that by diving into one of the most important issues shaping the future of the industry: digitalisation.”
“It’s good news for oil and gas businesses. The last few years have been tough on professionals, whose happiness has been waning, so it may surprise hiring managers that workers are optimistic about the role of digitalisation on the sector’s future. The key now is to harness this optimism and provide digitally-driven opportunities for professionals to work more safely, flexibly and efficiently,” Marx added.
Hannah Peet, managing director at Energy Jobline, noted, “Competition for energy talent is fierce, both within sectors and between them. But this could be as much of an opportunity for oil and gas employers as it is a threat.”
“Happiness is a major factor. The sector that can offer professionals the happiest working lives will win out. Oil and gas has long held an advantage when it comes to pay, and with the oil price back on the up, professionals expect that to continue. They must embrace digitalisation, setting themselves up nicely to retain talent and transfer knowledge and skills to the next generation,” Peet added.
