A website designed to tackle the skills shortage in the upstream oil and gas industry has recorded a massive increase in visitor numbers following the launch of a dedicated campaign aimed at recruiting the industry’s future offshore workforce.
The number of visitors to www.oilandgas4u.com increased by an astonishing 980% from 1,623 to 17,500 for the two month period following the launch of the Go Explore campaign at the beginning of September.
Aimed at raising awareness among 16-25-year-olds of the career opportunities available in the offshore oil and gas industry, Go Explore refers young people to the website which was introduced in 2006 and relaunched as part of the campaign following a major overhaul to make it more attractive to potential employees.
As a one-stop on-line information portal, ww.oilandgas4u.com allows prospective young workers to find out about the pay and rewards, training and safety schemes, and the practical aspects of living and working both on and offshore.
In addition, the site encourages users to take a computer-based ‘taster test’ to see how their skills and experience match up with the option of then being directed straight to recruiting companies. During the first week following the Go Explore launch, the number of people taking the test increased 330% from 488 (between September 3-9) to 2099 (September 10-16) representing a 151% increase in passes.
The oil and gas industry through its skills and training body, OPITO, has invested a six figure sum in the campaign, which uses the internet and digital media as well as advertising on buses, radio and the press throughout Scotland and the North of England to target its key audience.
New research carried out by Oil and Gas UK indicates that the industry must continue to recruit young workers aged 16-25 to meet future demand for skilled personnel. Currently, the average age for the UKCS offshore workforce is 41.
David Doig, chief executive of OPITO, said: “I am delighted with the impact of the Go Explore campaign, which can be measured by the early success of the relaunched oilandgas4u.com website. A five-fold increase in the number of visitors to the site in such a short space of time shows that the campaign is generating a real interest among young people of the benefits to be gleaned from an exciting offshore career.
“I would encourage anyone thinking of a career in the energy industry to visit the site, which has been streamlined to offer even more information including video clips of young workers involved at different levels of the sector, and has been designed to be easily updated so that it evolves to continually meet the needs of both potential employees and employers.”
For more information on the oil and gas industry log on to www.oilandgas4u.com or www.opito.net
Issued on behalf of OPITO by The BIG Partnership. For more information contact:
Zoe Corsi on 01224 578172 or 07973 983 243
Laura Grant on 01224 578179 or 07813 880496
Posted by Online Data on Thursday, November 08, 2007 16:19
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