The report by Airswift, the global workforce solutions provider for the energy, process and infrastructure sectors, and Energy Jobline, the world’s leading jobsite for the energy and engineering industries, indicates that a clear majority (77 per cent) of professionals believe automation and digitalisation are positive developments for the sector, overriding any concerns respondents might have about their own job security.
This optimism goes beyond the technical and operational benefits of technology to include the ‘softer’ benefits that could be crucial in attracting and retaining talent in a competitive energy landscape. In particular, four-in-ten of those citing increased happiness over the past three years attributed their improved circumstances to digitally-enabled modern workplace trends like flexible working.
Janette Marx, Chief Operating Officer at Airswift, says: “Last year’s GETI was a huge success as hiring managers valued the insights about the expectations of the energy workforce. This year we’re building on that by diving into one of the most important issues shaping the future of the industry: digitalisation.”
“It’s good news for oil and gas businesses. The last few years have been tough on professionals, whose happiness has been waning, so it may surprise hiring managers that workers are optimistic about the role of digitalisation on the sector’s future. The key now is to harness this optimism and provide digitally-driven opportunities for professionals to work more safely, flexibly and efficiently.”
In addition to providing much-needed insights into sector digitalisation and automation, GETI is also the industry’s most comprehensive salary and mobility survey. Key findings within oil and gas include:
- Sector pay has modestly increased during the past year. While 29 per cent of respondents report an increase in pay over the past 12 months, 45 per cent report no change
- More than half of oil and gas professionals expect an increase in pay in 2018, with one quarter expecting rates and salaries to rise by more than five per cent
- Optimism is even more profound among the young, with two-thirds of those aged under 35 anticipating a pay increase this year
- 56 per cent of professionals would consider switching to another sector, with 28 per cent eyeing a move to renewables
Hannah Peet, Managing Director at Energy Jobline, says: “Competition for energy talent is fierce, both within sectors and between them. But this could be as much of an opportunity for oil and gas employers as it is a threat.
“Happiness is a major factor. The sector that can offer professionals the happiest working lives will win out. Oil and gas has long held an advantage when it comes to pay, and with the oil price back on the up, professionals expect that to continue. They must embrace digitalisation, setting themselves up nicely to retain talent and transfer knowledge and skills to the next generation.”
