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Why Some Energy Workers Are Considering a Career Change

July 7, 2021
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Austin, TX

Due to uncertainty in the energy jobs market, a significant number of workers are ready and willing to retrain.

These workers would especially be willing to do so if working in a different branch of the industry would give them greater job security.

Research has shown that the vast majority of Oil & Gas workers are prepared to consider retraining for a job outside of the sector, with many considering a career in Offshore Wind.

There is most certainly evidence of Oil & Gas workers having a considerable appetite for learning new skills.

With the number of Oil & Gas jobs decreasing in recent times, one study – conducted by the research organization Platform – found that eight out of ten Oil & Gas workers would consider moving to a job outside of the industry.

As Workrise’s new white paper, How to Retrain Energy Workers to Plug Skills Gaps highlights, many Oil & Gas workers envision transferring to another part of the energy industry. When contemplating taking a job in another sector, the most common factor of the decision is “job security,” which is cited by 58 percent of the Oil & Gas workforce.

What Training is Required?

So, which energy-related industry could be the main beneficiary of Oil & Gas workers’ desire for change? Offshore Wind is particularly popular, as a total of 53 percent of respondents to the survey said they would be interested in Offshore Wind-related training. Meanwhile, 51 percent are interested in Renewables, 38 percent are inclined towards Rig Decommissioning, and 26 percent are interested in Carbon Capture and Storage.

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Clearly, there is considerable demand for re-training. However, it’s important that any training provided is properly structured and is cross-industry. One Oil & Gas worker sums it up like this: “Workers are open to shifting to renewable energy if the proper training is put in place for us. We won’t be able to take up new jobs overnight, so any training offered will have to cover Oil, Gas, and Offshore Wind, so that we’re able to work across industries as we begin the transition.”

Workers are open to shifting to renewable energy if the proper training is put in place for us.

Matt C.

Oil & Gas Worker

Wind and Solar’s Hiring Challenges

Oil & Gas workers are more than willing to retrain in order to develop the skills needed to work in other energy industries. This represents a significant opportunity for the Wind and Solar sectors in particular.

Consequently, both the Wind and Solar industries have experienced significant problems in relation to hiring.

Businesses in the Wind sector are suffering from shortfalls in the number of qualified technicians able to install and maintain wind turbines safely. Meanwhile, according to The Solar Foundation, 80 percent of Solar Manufacturing companies find hiring “very difficult” or “somewhat difficult.”

Retraining Oil & Gas workers are one way in which Wind and Solar companies could meet labor shortfalls.

One strategy would be to contact training providers, community colleges, and workforce boards to help with the expansion of work-based training programs that enable entry-level employees to learn on the job.
This is an area in which Workrise specializes.

How Training Can Help your Business

Training and cross-training can enable workers to adapt their skills and most importantly, continue working.

Given the unpredictability of labor demand, energy companies can benefit by using a hiring agency to help find qualified workers, train, and certify them. Equally importantly, energy companies need an agency that can do these things quickly.

Providing high-quality training offers numerous benefits to businesses and workers alike. These include:

  • Enhanced Employee Performance
    Employees given appropriate training will perform their job more effectively and complete tasks more efficiently, meaning fewer delays and fewer accidents.
  • A Better-Qualified Workforce
    This will put a business in a better position when tendering for new contracts.
  • Higher Levels of Worker Satisfaction
    This leads to better retention rates.

Offering high-quality retraining programs for the energy workforce will fulfill the demand from many workers to move into different areas of the industry.

It will also help meet the labor demands of renewable energy businesses, including Wind and Solar companies, which are finding it difficult to source the workers they need.


Get In Touch

Workrise can help with training, staffing, technology, and professional services – so you can get back to focusing on what you do best. Visit our website at workrise.com.

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