Global Energy Talent Index 2019: young professionals positive about petrochemicals 

The report 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, indicates that of all professionals, those aged under 25 are the most enthusiastic about a career in the sector.

While 47% of petrochemicals professionals expressed worry about an impending talent crisis, that rate fell to 37% among the younger group – a rate that was nearly half that of their peers in oil and gas.

Furthermore, there is little regret among those choosing careers in petrochemicals. When asked whether they would pursue a career in the sector if they were entering the energy industry now, 83% of petrochemicals professionals aged under 25 said yes.

Janette Marx, Chief Executive Officer at Airswift, says: “In recent years, GETI has proven hugely successful at providing hiring managers with the insights they need to manage the expectations of the energy workforce. This year is no different, as we respond to what they told us was their biggest concern: the energy skills gap.

“And what a difference a year makes. In last year’s report, we noted that petrochemicals was perceived as a bit of an outdated industry, namely due to the prevalence of blue-collar roles. Now the tone is one of excitement and vigour. When oil and gas companies pulled back on their recruitment schemes, petrochemicals businesses swooped in on that talent. Now they’re harvesting the fruits of that approach.”

In addition to providing much-needed insights into the skills gap, GETI is also the industry’s most comprehensive salary and mobility survey. Key findings within petrochemicals include:

• Remuneration is on the up. 55% of non-hiring professionals report an increase in pay over the past 12 months, with 30% citing a raise of more than 5%.
• 71% of non-hiring professionals anticipate further pay rises in 2019 – with 47% expecting remuneration to rise by more than 5%.
• 91% of professionals would consider relocating to another region for their job, with career progression opportunities the number one factor attracting talent to a region.
• Remuneration no longer ranks in the top three, having been the most popular reason cited for a move in GETI 2018.
• Renewables provides the biggest source of competition for talent, with 58% of those open to switching sectors attracted to the industry.

Hannah Peet, Managing Director at Energy Jobline, says: “Competition between sectors remains as fierce as ever, but petrochemicals businesses are set up very well for success. They have developed a working culture that thrives on innovation, youthful vigour and community and the opportunity is there to set the standard for how the energy industry cultivates talent.

“As young people enter the sector, grow in their careers and communicate these benefits to the next wave of graduates, the calibre of new candidates gets even better. If this momentum continues, petrochemicals will be an exciting sector for years to come.”

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/petrochemicals/23012019/global-energy-talent-index-2019-young-professionals-positive-about-petrochemicals/