Oil and Gas Industry: Seeking Solutions to Aging Workforce

Various industry and governmental officials at a workforce panel in Midland, Texas, said that while changing demographics and an aging workforce in the oilfields present a daunting challenge to the energy sector, the challenge isn’t insurmountable. According to an article by Bill Modisett in the Odessa American, most of the panelists were looking towards providing a coordinated message in recruiting younger people to work in the industry, particularly at the high school and university level. "Statistics cited during the forum showed many workers in the industry will be retiring in 10 to 15 years, yet a nationwide study showed the number of students graduated with bachelor’s degrees in petroleum engineering is down by 78%."

Source: "Oil industry faces workforce challenges" Odessa American (February 24, 2006)