Canadian Offshore Drilling Industry Faces Shortage of Experienced Workers

Canada's offshore drilling industry expects to see limited growth over the next year, because of a shortage of qualified and skilled oil workers. According to the Canadian Association of Oil Well Drilling Contractors, the shortage of experienced workers is a major impediment to the expansion of drilling activities. 

The Association says that it suffered a great loss of qualified and skilled workers during the economic recession of 2009, and since then, the industry has struggled to lure these experienced workers back. It is not that new workers are not available. They are, and in good numbers. After all, oil rig jobs pay well, with a $29 per hour entry-level wage. Workers are not required to come to the job with a college degree, and can expect to be trained on the job.

However, the industry has a shortage of experienced workers. It will take time for new workers to hone their skills to the levels of experienced workers. Due to this shortfall of skilled workers, the Canadian Association of Oil Well Drilling Contractors expects just a 1% increase in offshore drilling in 2012. 

However, the Canadian oil drilling industry has plenty of options for training and apprenticeship for workers who want to find a foothold in the industry. Canada was the first country to introduce a formal apprenticeship training program for oil and gas crew members. The Canadian Association of Oil Well Drilling Contractors sponsors a trade program which combines on-the-job training with technical training, mainly aimed at derrickhands, drillers, and motor hands. Besides offshore industry workers also benefit from the Enform program, sponsored by the Canadian offshore industry, which offers dozens of safety courses for oil rig workers.

If you have been injured in an accident on an offshore oil rig or oil platform, consult an experienced maritime law lawyer at Schechter McElwee Shaffer and Harris.