Friday 29 August 2003

John Prescott Launches more Opportunities

DEPUTY PRIME Minister, John Prescott, officially launched the second year of the oil and gas industrys Opportunities careers roadshow today at AMECs ship yard in Wallsend, as part of a skills awareness forum in the North East.

John Prescott said: I am delighted to launch what promises to be another successful Opportunities roadshow. I am sure that students throughout the UK will be as impressed as I am by the technology and the challenging careers in this industry which is such a significant contributor to the UK economy.

Mike Straughen , Managing Director of AMEC said: AMEC regards its participation in this project as a key element of graduate recruitment, in order to raise awareness of the industry and the jobs therein. We have noticed a marked increase in applicants as a direct result of the Opportunities trailer.

The Opportunities exhibition trailer is designed to inform and inspire university students about the oil and gas industry and is funded by the Department of Trade and Industry, Scottish Enterprise and the sectors Industry Leadership Team.

It is staffed by recent graduates now working in the industry who have volunteered to talk about their own personal experiences.

Following a successful first year, in which the vehicle went to 21 UK universities and received over 3,000 visitors, the trailer will visit 30 venues throughout UK and Ireland, from August 2003 to March 2004.

The trailer challenges many traditional perceptions of the oil and gas industry. A student visitor to the trailer last year said: I thought that the oil and gas industry only employed engineers. Now that I have visited the trailer and have spoken to some of the graduates, I realise that there is a wide range of other career opportunities.

The Opportunities Joint Industry Project was initiated to increase the number of high calibre graduates applying for careers in the hydrocarbon sector.

-Ends-

Notes to Editors

1. The Industry Leadership Team (ILT) comprises senior managers from operating, contracting and supplier companies in the oil and gas industry, as well as the trade unions. It works in partnership with the UK Government through the PILOT forum to improve competitiveness and retain the UKs pre-eminence as an active centre for oil and gas exploration, development and production.

For more information, please call 020 7802 2400.