Academy Leader to Speak at Genergy Conference

11 March 2009

David Doig, chief executive of Aberdeen headquartered OPITO – The Oil & Gas Academy will discuss the importance of investing in education and training when he takes part in this year's Getenergy conference in London later this month.

The fifth annual exploration and production event, which takes place at the Business Design Centre in Islington from March 23 – 25, is expected to attract hundreds of delegates from around the globe.

Spotlight sessions running across both days will look at developments for upstream business in the UK, Middle East, Africa, Asia, Russia and South America.

OPITO – The Oil & Gas Academy is the industry-funded, employer-led focal point for skills, learning and workforce development. It works closely with employers, the government and academia to ensure the industry's feedstock both now and in the future.

Mr Doig will discuss the implications for the UK sector, the principal challenges and opportunities, during the morning session on March 24. He will also look at the way the industry is currently served by education and training institutions in the public and private sectors in light of the current economic climate.

“The common theme among employers is that the next 12-18 months will be a period of rationalisation and consolidation. While the oil and gas industry is not immune to the economic downturn, it will weather the storm as it has done on numerous occasions before,” he said.

“Employers are increasingly looking to see how they can add value to their business - this includes bringing in the right people of all disciplines and across all sectors and developing them.”

The Academy is working towards not only increasing the number of applications to courses that support the core activities of oil and gas exploration and production but ensuring those courses and qualifications are developed to meet specific industry needs and tailored to be fully relevant to what is an increasingly complex, technologically advanced and innovative industry.