Energy and oil are at the heart of just about everything we do, making it a vital part of our day to day lives. Figures from 2011 show the UK energy industry employed some 175,000 people directly, with an additional 200,000 employed through supporting roles. In the coming years these figures are only expected to increase, meaning there has never been a better time to consider a career within the sector.

Demand

The continued growth in technologies and the rising population have led analysts to predict that there will be a 50% increase in demand for energy by the middle of this century. With customers demanding a continuous and low cost supply of power, an expanding field of career opportunities for technical and non-technical graduates is expected.

At the present time the energy industry is suffering from a considerable skills shortage. This means that, for those who are able to demonstrate the necessary skills and qualifications, it is possible to progress quickly within this exciting and forward-thinking industry.

Roles

Whilst the industry generally recruits from science and engineering backgrounds, there are a variety of other roles available for people with a ride range of skills. These include, among other things:

• Apprentices
• Hands on technicians
• Designers
• Engineers
• QHSE
• QS
• Proposals
• Sales
• Project engineers and managers

Pay

If you have the necessary engineering or technical skills, the average salary can be considerably higher than the UK national average. Starting salaries can vary, but a salary survey has found that graduates can expect to receive between £24,000 and £32,000.

The Future

The need to keep the lights on ensures that the energy industry continues to offer excellent levels of job security. When decommissioning is taken into consideration it is expected that work in the North Sea alone will continue for at least another 50 years; with new global oil and gas discoveries continually requiring qualified workers.

In addition to that, the growth of renewable energies will play an important role for many years to come. Research in 2012 found that the renewables industry supported over 100,000 jobs across the supply chain – a figure that is expected to reach 400,000 in order to meet the 2020 renewables targets.

“Renewables will play a key role in the development of the low-carbon economy, helping to diversify the UK energy mix whilst also providing opportunities for economic growth and new jobs” – John Cridland, Director-General of the Confederation of British Industries.

Want To Know More?

For those of you who are considering becoming an engineer or technician, we would recommend that you check out the following professional bodies:

• The Engineering Council
• Society For The Environment
• The Science Council

If you are interested in a career in the energy industry, you can find out more information by visiting the Energy Institute website at www.energyinst.org.