Thanks to the £1.6 billion set aside for new investment in North Sea oil fields, temporary workers may see renewed jobs recruitment levels.
The government gave the green light to the project recently, paving the way for not just an additional 2,000 new positions at the minimum, many of which could be filled by umbrella company contractors and other freelancers, but will also bring oil production up by an additional 100 million barrels. The expanded project calls for drilling at both the new Shaw and Cayley fields, whilst also stepping up production at the Wood, Montrose, Carnoustie, Brechin, Awkright, and Arboath fields as well.
John Hayes, the energy minister, lauded the new investment plan, calling it the beginning of a resurgence of North Sea oil interests. Mr Hayes also said that with the North Sea creating energy security, investment opportunities and jobs, the North Sea has been the British economy’s ‘bedrock’ for almost half a century, adding that the government has a duty to both make the most of this dwindling natural resource and to prolong the economic longevity of its highly lucrative seas.
North Sea oil production has traditionally been an excellent source of jobs for skilled, experienced contractors, especially in the construction and maintenance sectors. However, less ‘hands-on’ roles are also created in order to provide administrative and information technology services for the infrastructure needed to keep these oil fields producing safely and efficiently, leading to freelancing opportunities across the length and breadth of many sectors.
