New UK Offshore Academy to Tackle Skills Shortage

A new oil and gas training academy has been set up in the UK in a bid to tackle the current skills shortage and secure a workforce for the future.

OPITO Oil and Gas Academy will be funded by the industry to provide support "for the investment that oil and gas employers throughout the UK are making in workforce development," says offshore representative organisation UK Oil & Gas.

"Employers throughout the UK will, for the first time, have a single, industry-led body focused on the development and delivery of the workforce capability needed for business success in the offshore oil and gas industry," adds OPITO CEO David Doig.

The UK Government, eager to compete in the competitive global oil and gas market, has backed the venture.

"It is essential that a workforce with the right skills and experience is maintained so that this vital industry can continue to make a significant contribution to energy production in the UK and to the export of oilfield goods and services around the world," says UK Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks.

OPITO will be based in Aberdeen, Scotland, and will be officially launched on 4 December 2007 and in Norwich on 5 December 2007.

By Ozge Ibrahim