As we approach the retirement of many workers in the oil and gas industry, the industry is threatened by a major skills shortage. As a result, oil and gas companies will be forced to fill vacant positions with staff from outside industries. Recruiters will need to expand their talent pool in order to meet quotas within the necessary timeframe. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts 54.8 million total job openings this decade, over half of which will be caused by Baby Boomers retiring without enough skilled laborers to replace them. Recruiters will be on the lookout for candidates who have succeeded in their former roles, demonstrate the skills necessary, and are open to a career in a new industry.
Great Track Record
Recruiters will be looking for individuals who have demonstrated great success in their previous position. One way to highlight this is to ensure that your qualifications stand out on your resume. You not only need to know what an employer is looking for, but you need to demonstrate exactly how you have demonstrated those qualities in the past. Having oil and gas experience has become less important than having the strong skills you need to succeed in any industry.
Transferable Skills
Employees with transferable skills be highly sought-after. Attractive skills include technical ability, management experience, and sales negotiation. Other skills are even more broad, such as the ability to consistently deliver results when working on a team, staying calm under pressure, and working hard to meet tight deadlines. When you apply for a job, make sure you expand on the skills you believe to be transferable and share how you can incorporate them in the position for which you are applying.
Training Programs
If you have a strong foundation of transferable skills, many oil and gas companies may have you complete a training program to quickly gain any industry-specific knowledge you may need. Employees take training and development programs very seriously. According to a survey, 75% of respondents stated that training was an important factor when it came to choice of employment. More than half of those surveyed would consider switching to another company due to lack of skills development opportunities. Although many applicants would be great fits for the oil and gas industry, the may struggle without a company training program. If oil and gas groups aren’t willing to invest in developing the skills of their employees, they may miss out!