Sustainability Strategy Commitments

UKOOA Sustainability Strategy 2002 - First Report 2. Social Sustainability 2.2 Enhancing recruitment, skills and training   Commitment No. 27 - New entrant training/ongoing training We plan to revitalise the existing system of new entrant technician training and apprenticeships.  One target for this initiative will be  SME employers the likely focus for much future technological innovation for the sector.  In common with other industries, the offshore industry faces a shortage of skilled technicians to meet current and future needs and we intend to quantify these.  We will continue to support our contractors through the ECITB and assist the NTO Group to co-ordinate training between industry sectors.  OPITOs 2000 Skills Foresight Report highlighted a lack of attention to ongoing training and development by companies both large and small.  We therefore support the NTO Groups efforts (through the Better Business with People project) to promote best practice in training and development and in encouraging employers to view the costs involved as an investment in the future. Progress to date : achievements and difficulties encountered The second annual survey of offshore technician skills co-ordinated by cogent has confirmed a continuing need to recruit up to 150 trainee technicians/operators per annum, over the coming years, to replace an anticipated shortfall caused by staff transfers overseas, retirement and natural turnover. UKOOA, cogent, the Offshore Contractors Association and the ECITB are developing joint programmes which will train school leavers, foundation-trained  technical students and skilled, mature candidates to full, technical competence in the required disciplines.  The programmes offer candidates up to four years training off and on the job, depending on prior experience.  This process is being extended to cover other, major groups employing technicians, namely drilling and wells servicing contractors.  cogent has been asked by these two groups to carry out a similar survey of their respective core employees, the results of which will be published in 3rd quarter, 2002.   Website References Offshore Contractor Association - OCA : www.oca-online.com cogent Website : www.cogent-ssc.com ECITB - Engineering Construction Industry Training Board : www.ecitb.org.uk Next commitment [28. Encouraging flexibility in the workforce] Previous commitment [26. Careers support for the existing workforce & for job changers] Commitment listing

Sustainability Strategy Commitments