YOUNG workers in the energy sector can play the greatest role in influencing school pupils to consider the booming industry for a career, a leading North-East figure has said.

George Rafferty, chief executive of NOF Energy, the business support organisation for the region’s oil, gas, nuclear and offshore renewables, was speaking after research earlier this month showed nearly 40,000 jobs could be created in the UK oil and gas industry over the next two years, with many of those opportunities in the North-East.

However, the Bank of Scotland survey of 100 UK sector firms also found 38 per cent of respondents highlighting a continuing skills shortage as the greatest challenge firms are likely to face.

Oil and gas is a major sector for the North-East region, supporting 66,000 jobs here, and forming part of a subsea sector worth £1.5bn to the region’s economy.

Yet, like many engineering disciplines, it faces a perception problem among young people.

A key aim of Foundation for Jobs, the national awardwinning initiative to tackle youth unemployment, is to address young people’s perceptions of industries and sectors which are struggling to recruit talent in this region, but which are to create thousands of jobs in the North-East.

Mr Rafferty said: “It is not only oil and gas. I don’t think our young people fully appreciate the opportunities that exist right across the energy sector, which also includes offshore renewables and the nuclear industry.

“Going forward it can provide them with life-long careers, not just jobs, because so much has to be done.

“There is a perception problem for the oil and gas industry without a shadow of a doubt.

“The young people may think all the jobs are out in the North Sea, but you look at some of the businesses here in the North-East and these are hi-tech businesses with superb office facilities and the latest software, a fantastic environment.

“Our young people often don’t see that, they see what they perceive to be the dirty and dangerous side and being away from home.”

“What we need to do to get the message across is identify some of their peer group, maybe a few years older than them, who have come through schools and colleges here in the region and can show where they are today in very exciting, well-paid jobs.”

Mr Rafferty pointed to the example of Lisa Winfrey who won NOF Energy’s first Young Achiever of the Year Award in 2000.

Originally from Middlesbrough, Ms Winfrey, a mechanical engineer, is subsea engineering service leader for GE Oil and Gas, in Houston, Texas.

Many of the region’s leading oil and gas firms will be participating in Energise Your Future, in Newcastle, in September, which showcases careers within the industry and the various entry routes available to 14 to 19- year-olds.

Mr Rafferty added: “If you look at the 15 companies involved in Subsea North-East (the regional group for the North-East of England’s subsea sector), they are looking to increase their head count by 500 new employees in the North-East this year and are already employing 170 apprentices in the region.”

As part of its work, Foundation for Jobs, a partnership between The Northern Echo, Darlington Borough Council and the Darlington Partnership of public and private sector organisations, takes apprentices and young workers from firms in the region into schools to discuss their careers with young people.

A major strand of the campaign is linking young people with industry while they are still at school.

Research has shown that engaging children in work related activities while still in education can lead to them being up to five times less likely to be unemployed at the age of 25.

For more information, call Foundation for Jobs co-ordinator Owen McAteer on 01325-388367 or go to foundationforjobs.co.uk