A new study reveals a grim picture of the oil and gas industry in Canada, indicating the sector is heading towards a severe shortage of workers in the next year.
The study by the Petroleum Human Resources Council of Canada adds that the picture will only worsen through 2020.
Executive director Cheryl Knight believes the industry will have to change its traditional hiring practices and open its doors to women, aboriginals and immigrants.
The study analysed two scenarios – one of growth, which considers the association’s expected outlook, and a base case that includes only existing production. In both cases, the results have shown the industry will need thousands more workers to cope with the demand. The association found the industry might need up to 105,000 additional workers, both for new positions and to replace retiring workers.
“For some occupations, the demand will be extremely high in the growth scenario over the next decade,” says Knight.
The industry, says Knight, will be looking for 3500 oil and gas drilling, servicing and related labourers; more than 3000 operators, both steam and non-steam —important for the oilsands; more than 2500 heavy equipment operators; more than 2000 drilling co-ordinators and production managers, over 1500 petroleum engineers and almost 1500 geologists and geophysicists.
