Dear Working Wise:
I am interested in working in the oil industry, but I don’t know much about it or anyone who works in the industry. I’m wondering how I can learn more and get a job with an oil company? Signed, Interested in Oil
Dear Interested:
Alberta’s energy industry has been a key economic driver and employer of choice in our province for over 60 years.
According to the Petroleum Human Resources Council of Canada (PHRC), nearly 140,000 Albertans work in the energy industry today—more than any other province.
And the future looks bright for those who choose to work in Alberta’s oil patch.
Employment in Canada’s energy industry is expected to grow 30 per cent over the next 10 years just as our most experienced workers are beginning to retire.
Energy companies are already experiencing shortages of experienced workers, including engineers, class-1 drivers, rig crews, field operators and tradespeople.
You can find more information about predicted demands for energy careers at the Petroleum HR Council’s web site: www.petrohrsc.ca.
Many employers prefer to hire people referred to them by current employees, because the new recruits are more likely to understand what the job entails. Some energy workers have to contend with long hours of physical work in the cold, far from home for weeks at a time.
A lot of employers also require job applicants to have their H2S and First Aid certificates, a valid class-five driver’s license, a clean driver’s abstract, pass a pre-employment physical exam and drug-screening test, and provide their own steel-toed boots and fire-retardant coveralls.
Alberta’s energy industry offers a wide variety of occupations and, as you can see, there is some important information you need to know before you start sending out resumés.
Fortunately, there are a number of resources to help you choose a career and demonstrate to employers that you understand the industry and the job you are applying for.
First, employer web sites can offer helpful information on energy careers and specific positions that they are recruiting for.
Second, the Canadian Association of Oilwell Drilling Contractors runs a web site www.rigtech.ca, which is a great source of information on drilling-crew careers.
Third, the Petroleum HR Council’s new www.careersinoilandgas.com website is a one-stop resource for job hunters interested in careers in the energy sector.
The Careers in Oil & Gas web site features:
· job-search tips and employer profiles;
· information on the industry, available occupations, and all of the various sub-sectors;
· videos of different energy sector operations; and
· “day in the life” features to help you understand what the job is really like.
Web sites are useful, but nothing beats talking to people in the industry.
For those who don’t know someone in the industry, job fairs are a great way to talk with employers, learn more about the jobs they are looking to fill, and find out what skills and experience they are looking for.
A list of upcoming Alberta job fairs is available at: http://employment.alberta.ca/jobfairs.
Good luck!
Do you have a work-related question? Send your questions to Working Wise, at charles.strachey@gov.ab.ca. Charles Strachey is a regional manager with Alberta Employment and Immigration. This column is provided for general information.
