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The economy will recover and when it does the oil and gas industry will need people to fill jobs, says Sheree Long, the manager of the Petroleum Skills Association. The association has big industry backing and is funded and supported by the Petroleum Exploration and Production Association of New Zealand (PEPANZ); the Extractives Industry Training Organisation (EXITO); Australian Worldwide Exploration AWE; GNS Science; Methanex NZ; Origin Energy; and Shell Todd Oil Services. Long says the association has already completed a special immigration workshop and made a subsequent submission to New Zealand Immigration for the inclusion of 12 key occupations on to the long term skills shortage and immediate skills shortage lists. “Process operators were identified early by the industry as a critical skill shortage area.” she says, leading to the development of the first pre-entry process operations training programme here. This programme has been designed and delivered through the Western Institute of Technology Taranaki by an industry working forum of industry companies and partners. A large component of the training will be conducted on actual production sites such as Origin Energy NZ, Shell Todd Oil Services, Methanex NZ, Balance Agri-Nutrients and Todd Energy, says Long. This is a full time level three programme incorporating the National Certificate in Energy and Chemical Plant (process operations) level two. The first programme is due to kick off in March 2010 and will see 12 students participate. “There will be a thorough pre-screening process to ensure we get the right students,” says Long. “We have to consider many important aspects such as the students’ ability to manage shift work and how serious they are on a career long-term within the industry.” Another important outcome of the association is to raise the awareness of opportunities within the industry to secondary school students and the wider community. A basic brochure has been produced providing job seekers with likely information about the petroleum industry that includes education or training requirement and where they can find jobs. “This was another gap that was acknowledged within the sector, clear information on what jobs are available and what you need to do to get them,” she says. “The brochure contains simple information that will refer those interested to a webpage which will provide more detailed information, links to organisations and education and training bodies and employment opportunities. We are confident this will be a first step towards a more coordinated approach of information delivery to the schools”. For more information or to participate in the programme you can contact Sheree Long, email: slongpepanz@gmail.com or phone 06 759 7559.
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