Statoil amps up recruiting

As a recovering energy industry re-focuses its efforts on recruiting and training new workers, Statoil has announced that it plans to take on 184 apprentices in 2010, 16 more than last year. “We are confident that activity in these areas will grow, and we want to recruit more local labour,” said Ivar Aasheim, senior vice president for Statoil’s operations north cluster.

Most of the apprenticeships are at the company’s onshore facilities, with the majority at the Mongstad complex north of Bergen. Approximately 40% of apprenticeships are on offshore installations.

Many get permanent jobs at Statoil once they complete their apprenticeships, but the company takes on more apprentices than it needs.

“We want to give more young people the chance to get trade qualifications to ready them for working life, either with us or in other enterprises,” Mr Aasheim said.

The Norwegian apprenticeship scheme is an education with the first two years at a vocational college of further education. After that, the apprentices work for two years in a firm and receive pay.

At the end of the apprenticeship period, they have to pass a practical exam before receiving their trade certificate.