The importance of engaging the next generation of energy workers

Peterson is committed to nurturing talent, ensuring the company and wider industry are appealing to young people as they progress through their school years and plan their career pathways.

Peterson is heavily involved with providing real-world perspectives to pupils’ and students’ learning through primary, secondary, further and higher education through to early career pathways.

As the energy transition progresses, Peterson’s Head of HR Steven Burns explains why this investment in the future is vital.

“The National Grid forecasts that the UK’s net zero targets will be powered by 400,000 people. These will range from tradespeople to engineers, to digital specialists and corporate advisors.

“As a company, Peterson is fully committed to the supply chain’s role empowering the energy transition and has a vital role to play – both in terms of streamlining and decarbonising vital oil and gas projects, as well as providing our expertise, services, and technologies to renewables projects now and into the future.

“In organisations such as ours it’s not a renewables job or an oil and gas job – it’s an all energy job and that is the case across much of the industry. The ECITB has reported that around 12% of the oil and gas industry’s workforce is under 30 and 41% are over 50. When we’re looking ahead with ambition for this next chapter of the energy transition, we need to address the recruitment and retention of our next generation workforce. And that is where engagement with schools, colleges, and universities matter.

“We are not only making the industry an appealing prospect, but we are also ensuring that young people understand how their studies align with the real world and the opportunities to grow as professionals.

“Unfortunately, the oil and gas industry can now be seen as a less attractive prospect for young people. Negative perceptions and headlines, often presented without the nuance of the industry’s role in the energy transition, are not allowing young people to fully understand the potential of an all energy career – whether that’s supporting oil and gas, carbon capture and storage, hydrogen, nuclear, or wind.

“This presents real risks as we literally need them to keep the lights on and our economy moving. We simply cannot sit back and watch a potential people and skills shortage.

“We have been lucky enough to work with schools who are committed to empowering their pupils to engage in real-world learning such as Bucksburn, Portlethen, and St Machar Academies.

“At Peterson, our early career professionals are building skills and experiences which will provide them with a solid foundation for the coming decades of their working lives. We’re proud to be part of their journey and remain committed to playing our role in engaging the next generation.”