The challenges facing the oil and gas industry come in all shapes and sizes, SAS Brigadier Tony Ling was in Malta recently running security courses but it ranges from the search for sustainable technologies to the increased number of icebergs threatening North Sea drilling operations, or rockets potentially hitting rigs in the Eastern Mediterranean.
All need solutions, so those students looking to gain postgraduate qualifications in the field could find their skills in demand once they graduate. Twenty Maltese graduates from Global College Malta's Robert Gordon University Masters courses will receive a €5000 scholarship each if they successfully apply by August 13th this year.
“The industry is currently going through a period of unprecedented change with thousands of new jobs likely to be created over the coming years,” explains Sarah Beacock FEI, professional affairs director of the Energy Institute (energyinst.org), the professional body for the industry. “Taking on these challenges requires well-qualified scientists and engineers with a holistic approach to identifying sustainable solutions.”
Global College Malta together with Robert Gordon University (RGU) are providing up to twenty €5000 scholarships to Maltese citizens provided they apply by latest August 13th backed by the best graduate job record in the UK. “Graduates leave with a qualification which will truly enhance their employability,” says Madeleine Marcella, from the RGU business school. “Many of our courses have been developed in direct response to industry demand.” Graduates will have the opportunity to work in various energy firms, engineering organisations, and project service companies.
Global College Malta Rector Professor Brian Smart says that current chronic skills shortages in the oil & gas industry are leading to well-paid job opportunities. The MSc in Oil and Gas Engineering is specifically designed by RGU to attract graduates in engineering aiming at penetrating the industry. The course structure is also approved by and abides to the guidelines set by the Energy Institute (EI). Lectures, seminars and workshops will be delivered at GCM’s campus located at SmartCity by RGU professionals. Students study 9 modules over the duration of the course.
Successful applicants will be able to pay for their education in stage payments to further assist local students.
It appears that the culprit behind the skills shortage is a matter of simple demographics and management’s desire to expand drilling and production operations. According to the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, the average age of industry employees is between 46 and 49. Although it may appear like they still have a few more years of solid work ahead, the average age for retirement in the industry is 55, not 65 as in other industries. That means that within the next five years, the bulk of senior scientists and engineers could potentially be leaving the field.
A number of retirements wouldn’t be too bad if management wasn’t trying to couple that with an increase in drilling and production activities as well. According to the Oil and Gas Journal, over 23 additional rigs were established in the U.S. since the beginning of 2014. With an increase in activity comes a need for skilled and experienced workers.
The looming labour shortage crisis and management’s decision to expand operations has created a perfect storm for the labour market. There just aren’t enough skilled workers to go around.
Dr Ashok Srivastava Registrar at GCM says that this unique course being offered in Malta, "Develops professional levels of skill in key subject areas by building on a foundation of first degree level scientific and mathematical skills". Typical students include new graduates and people working in oil and gas companies, energy companies, national oil companies, engineering firms, and project service companies. Dr. Srivastava says, "It’s really important to keep in mind here that these programmes are backed completely by the Robert Gordon University; the qualification is the same as if you’d earned it on campus in Aberdeen. Developing knowledge and expertise within a specific field such as oil & gas increases employability within the current competitive jobs market."
Dr. Srivastava continues, " Many companies will pay for some or all of the post-graduate degree, depending on how relevant your studies are to your work. It's an exciting industry to work in. Working in oil & gas, you could be in Houston one day, and then on a plane to North Africa the next."
Located at SmartCity, Global College Malta offers a sophisticated state-of the art learning environment and gives students the opportunity to study alongside and share cross-cultural insights with people from diverse countries. Global College Malta is the first European College offering university degrees according to British standards at SmartCity.
Together, Global College and SmartCity aim to create a dedicated education cluster where international students, institutes in various education fields and hiring companies all operate within a synergetic business environment thereby creating a network of opportunities. Global College Malta is collaborating and representing highly respected international universities to act as an important education hub. Through Global College Malta’s services, cutting-edge institutions such as Robert Gordon University will have the opportunity of teaching and adding to the knowledge-base on the Islands, which is set to become one of the top destinations for students due to its strategic position and its high level of proficiency in English language, becoming a high-value-added education hub at the centre of the Mediterranean with Global College focused on British style education in key sectors such as Oil & Gas, Management and IT (Cloud Computing).
Professor Brian Smart said, "Going back to school for a graduate degree is essential if you want to enjoy a successful career progression. RGU provides graduates with a unique skill set that helps them stand out in obtaining oil & gas jobs. RGU is the UK's number one university for graduates getting jobs. RGU courses have a strong focus on employability and both RGU and GCM work closely with employers to ensure our graduates are in-demand to local, national and international companies and organisations. HESA (Higher Education Statistics Agency) statistics, published last August, show that RGU remains at the top of the table in Scotland for undergraduates with 96% of graduates in employment or further study. Our Maltese post-graduates will be in very good company indeed. Developing your knowledge and expertise within a specific field will increase your employability within the current competitive jobs market. There has never been a better time to embark on an RGU oil & gas postgraduate course and we believe that this campus is capable of being world-class in this area."
Professor Smart concludes, "Students will find that a postgraduate qualification in oil and gas can offer them powerful career prospects and a chance to make a difference. People who want to do a worthwhile job, earn a good living and even have ambitions to travel the world can find opportunities in the energy industry. The industry is seeing something of a revolution and there’s no better time to investigate the possibilities and shape the future for yourself and the world.”