One Scottish city is angling to become the global energy capital by attracting an additional 120,000 new recruits by 2022, according to a new report from PricewaterhouseCooper.
PwC’s new report says that Aberdeen needs the massive influx of workers – which would more or less double the entirety of the city’s current workforce of both permanent and interim workers combined. The energy sector is already a big player within the region, but with the age of the average employee being 45, concerns are being raised over longevity.
The best bet, says PwC, would be the creation of an Aberdeen Energy Academy by by 2015 in order to prepare for the inevitable aging of the current workforce. Aberdeen PwC senior partner, Mark Higginson, remarked that the greatest threat to the Scottish city’s goals to climb to the top of the global energy sector is the possible shortage of skilled permanent and contract workers.
The public sector, academics, and industry have all come forward to support such an Academy since PwC first came forward with the concept in the latter days of 2011, according to Mr Higginson. The senior partner drew attention to the initial feasibility study that was undertaken recently as proof that such a scheme would be helpful in building up the supply of skilled labour within the Aberdeen energy sector, adding that the study was an important first step in building momentum towards such lofty goals.
Umbrella company contractors and freelancers with experience in the energy industry will doubtlessly welcome the news that demand for their services is growing by leaps and bounds.
