To say that Norway would stop without the oil and gas industry, is not an exaggeration.  The oil and gas industry has been the motor driving Norwegian business and social life since the mid 1970’s and it continues to be so today.  And there is little indication that the industry will not continue to be a leader in economic growth, extraction, and techological development. 

Value must be created

In order for a society to have something to share , value must be created.  A good and harmonious society is therefore always dependent on a high and healthy economic growth.  To maintain this kind of growth, and keep in step with delvelopment, there has to be a steady stream of new knowledge, new wonder, and new creativity – also in the oil and gas industry.
 
That’s why it is important that the industry is able to attract the best minds, that we have educatinal institutions that can deliver the best education, and that we have a school system that stimulates learning and curiosity.  We do have these things.  But we can always improve.

Drop in the number of students  who choose science

Over the past decade, we have seen a drop in the number of students  who choose science.  That’s why there has been and will be determined measures to make both science and industry more interesting.  A host of collaboration arenas have been established for industry and the school system.  The challenges surrounding recruitment are now the subject of scrutiny both politically and professionally.  And now, we can see the tide changing:  More students are choosing science at school.   

Techology developers

In the oil and gas industry, the demand for new employees is specifically directed at techology developers.  The goal is to make better and more efficient use of resources on the Norwegian Continental Shelf – and elsewhere in the world – and always in accordance what nature can tolerate.  For the industry to maintain society’s trust and to survive longer and better, it is crucial that everything the industry does has its foundation in good, sustainable resource management.  

The oil and gas industry is in the midst of furious devlopment with regard to platform-based extraction from the seafloor, floating extraction, and field managment from land.  This development places new demands on employees’ competence.  More meeting places for industry and instutions of higher education must be established.  There must be more research, and it must be more visible.  This places a great responsibility on the Governement.  But just as much responsibility rests on the the industry itself, for further development of research and talent in the industry. 

Think long-term and environmentally friendly

It is clear that the industry has to think long-term and environmentally friendly.  It has to think from an equal opportunity point of view and there have to be great demands on being technology leaders.  The industry has, also during recuitment, a large internatinal responsibility to operate within ethical and moral framework; especially in relation to sustainable development, poverty, and corruption.  The industry has to take clear and distinct social responsibility. 

The Norwegian Oil Industry Association and a host of companies report that there is a great demand for labour.  Most companies concentrate on personal welfare, development, and challenging work tasks.  Companies go a long way to appeal to new employers. 

Conscious of the recruiting situation

Both the industry and the Government are conscious of the recruiting situation and are now working together to overcome these challenges.  It is especially good to see all the collaboration projects between the industry and the Governement for making the oil and gas industry even more attractive and forward-looking.

Science at school represents, in many ways, the foundation for the development of our oil and gas industry.  And it will continue to be so in the foreseeable future.

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By Tore Nordtun
The Norwegian Labour Party
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This article is number 1 in a series of 6 articles focusing on the need for a skilled workforce in the oil industry.