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The Lower Carbon Economy and LNG Projects |
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The Australian oil and gas industry is increasingly focused on the cleanest fossil fuel – natural gas or LNG – which is likely to be the fuel of choice for power generation.
The growth of the LNG industry is a key pathway to a lower carbon economy for Australia..
Based on recent project data released by ABARE and APPEA’s estimates of project costs, the following data highlights the potential needs of the oil and gas sector in Australia in the next decade:
- Total capital expenditures: $200 to $220 billion
- Additional annual tax receipts: $9 to $11 billion per annum
- Employment – construction related: Up to 45,000
- Employment – production phases: Up to 10,000
- Global greenhouse gas reductions: 180 million tonnes per annum
These estimates are based on the vast majority of projects proceeding to final investment decision.
Much of this work will be in regional Australia, and with up to 55,000 new jobs in areas such as the North West of WA and regional Queensland in the emerging coal seam gas sector, there will be an unprecedented demands for skills. |
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Continuing Skills Shortages |
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Despite the weakening in the world economy, skills shortages are still a major issue forAustralia’s oil and gas industry. This industry has a number of significant projects starting up or due to start up within the next few years both in the broad LNG sector but also in the emerging coal seam gas sector particularly in Queensland.
LNG is a relatively new industry to Australia (in large scale terms) and therefore some skills capability gap exists at a highly technical and senior level. The industry continues to face long-term shortages in the disciplines of petroleum engineering, geoscience and chemical engineering.
In addition, there will be huge demands for construction workers as the various projects commence and there is likely to be competition for this construction workforce from other industries. There will also be a growing demand for technical personnel in oil and gas plant process operations and maintenance, and supervisors with appropriate levels of technical and safety experience and front line management skills |
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Skills, Education and Training Strategy |
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APPEA’s approach to skills, education and training is build upon the broader industry strategy set out in the ‘Platform for Prosperity’ and is designed to ensure:
“An appropriately skilled workforce is available to support the growth of the oil and gas sector in Australia through strategic workforce planning, key skill pool development and by remaining focused on key pathways to employment such as cadetships, apprenticeships, traineeships and graduate programs.”
Four key issues identified in the Industry’s ‘Platform for Prosperity’ as requiring action are:
- Defining the skills shortage problem
- Industry workforce planning and investment in training
- Improved understanding of the industry’s employment/career opportunities
- Maximised returns from government education and training support through collaboration and partnerships |
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Skills, Education and Training (SET) Committee |
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The SET Committee reports to the APPEA Board on the implementation of the industry’s skills, education and training strategy, meets four times per year and is made up of a range of industry professionals with backgrounds in for example, training and skills development, human resource management and indigenous affairs.
For more information on the SET Committee and Strategy, please contact Miranda Taylor, Director - Skills & Safety. |
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For a listing of recent APPEA submissions please click here |
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For a listing of Useful Links please click here |
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Skills, Education and Training
Petroleum Industry Career Guide
