To tackle the skills shortage in the subsea sector of the oil and gas industry, Univation Ltd, the commercial arm of The Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, Scotland, is launching an innovative course to attract new engineers to the sector. The course will be delivered as part of a national initiative by industry body Subsea UK to attract engineers from other industries into the subsea oil and gas industry.

“The subsea sector urgently needs 1,000 new engineers with those numbers rising to 3,000 in the next 5 years to cope with the international demand for subsea services and products,” says David Pridden, chief executive of Subsea UK. The course contains four modules which will allow people unfamiliar with oil and gas to gear up for a career in this lucrative sector. Suitable for engineers and non-technical personnel, the course includes introductions to the oil and gas industry; oil and gas engineering; the subsea industry; and subsea engineering.

The program is delivered over 60 hours of self-directed learning, delivered on RGU’s award-winning Virtual Campus, allowing delegates to study anywhere, at their own pace. The course is designed to give background information on the industry, terminology and equipment used, how the oil and subsea industries developed, and future expectations for the sector. Ian Campbell, managing director of Univation Ltd said, ‘We are extremely pleased to be working with Subsea UK as part of a national cross-industry initiative to address skills shortages in the sector. ‘With over 30,000 employees, £3.35 billion (US $6.38 billion) worth of services and products and over 750 companies, the UK subsea industry sector leads the world in experience, innovation and technology. It is imperative that we maintain a leading technological edge by sustaining and expanding this important business sector.’

Pridden adds, “There is a limited pool of resources in the sector and, if UK companies are to capitalize on the huge growth in the sector, we must bring in new blood. By targeting engineers and non-technical personnel from other industries, we might be able to fill the current gap. Attracting them is one challenge but enabling them to transfer their skills is another and this course has been designed to rapidly and effectively develop skills suitable for the subsea sector.” The course is open to companies who would like to provide training for their staff, as well as individuals seeking a career in oil and gas. The cost of the course is £100 ($190.50) for Subsea UK members / £200 ($381) for non-members, and Univation Ltd is keen to work with organizations that would sponsor student access to the program. Source: Subsea UK