OPITO: O&G Skills Awards launched (UK)

OIL and gas industry skills organisation OPITO is today (16th July 2014) launching a nationwide search for the shining stars that are helping raise the bar on the sector’s skills agenda.

Nominations have opened for the inaugural OPITO Awards which seek to recognise employers who have engaged with UK educational establishments for the benefit of the next generation; and career transitioners who have made a valuable contribution to their workplace, business or colleagues.

The awards will be presented during National Oil & Gas Skills Week at a celebratory lunch at The Chester Hotel, Aberdeen, on November 13, 2014.

Any company of any size can enter the Top Employer for Engagement in UK Education Award if they can demonstrate how they have worked with an educational establishment to engage with the next generation.

The Best Career Transitioner Award will recognise ex-military personnel who have made demonstrable contributions to their employer or are recognised as a leader, innovator, motivator or high achiever in the wider oil and gas industry.

The Awards will also see the presentation of the UK Upstream Oil & Gas Industry Technician Training Scheme’s 2014 Modern Apprentice of the Year accolade. Recognised as one of the most successful apprenticeships in the UK, the scheme marks its 15th anniversary this year and to celebrate this milestone, the current intake of students will be involved in a number of activities throughout National Oil & Gas Skills Week.

Nominations for this award are made by the candidate’s respective college.

John McDonald, managing director of OPITO, said: “The skills issue is one of the most important challenges facing the oil and gas industry today. The sector is a global success story with the skills and expertise honed here in the North Sea exported around the globe.

“There is a great deal of very positive work being done across the industry and these awards aim to celebrate that success and recognise those employers and individuals who are making a tangible difference to the industry’s skills challenge.”

An independent judging panel of industry leaders and education authorities will score each entry according to the agreed criteria. Finalists will be announced by early October and winners announced at the lunch on November 13th which will be hosted by BBC news journalist Jackie Bird.

National Oil & Gas Skills Week is set to explore the skills and career pathways within the oil and gas industry across the UK. Targeting a variety of audiences, it will see everything from science, engineering and maths events, specialist workshops and careers sessions to debates, interactive challenges and much more take place in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Norwich and Great Yarmouth from November 11-14th.