Proserv on a Roll to Attract New Talent

Proserv, is set to add to its more than 2,200-strong global workforce after taking part in events aimed at attracting new talent into the energy industry.

Proserv, which has seen its talent pool soar through organic growth and a succession of strategic acquisitions, is to take on new apprentices and ex-military personnel after participating in a Mobilizing the Military initiative organized by subsea industry body, Subsea UK, last Friday.

The event at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre was established to address the energy industry’s skills shortage by encouraging former members of the armed forces to transfer into the subsea sector. It brings together Subsea UK members and highly-skilled service leavers to help fast track new entrants into the industry.

As a result, Proserv anticipates taking on up to 12 ex-Forces personnel and transferring their skills into specific product lines through the company’s training school.     

Yesterday, the company also held a selection and assessment day to recruit up to six new apprentices onto its technician and design apprentice program. Potential candidates visited the company’s Birchmoss facility in Aberdeenshire where workshops, exercises and a Q&A session were among the activities designed by the company’s learning & development team to help candidates get a sense of the expectations and opportunities at Proserv.

Brian Kinsey, president for Proserv’s Europe and West Africa region, said: “Proserv is committed to finding and developing the best talent in order to further strengthen our workforce. Our success is driven by our people and with our capabilities continually evolving and expanding, we are focused on continuing to attract the most highly skilled and experienced people as well as young people who show a real aptitude and potential to carve out a promising career.”

As part of its commitment to helping the energy industry raise awareness and promote the diverse range of long-term career opportunities to young people, Proserv hosted its annual ‘open doors’ day for local students at its Great Yarmouth facility which attracted more than 80 people aged between 16 and 18.

The group were given a tour of the company’s dedicated engineering and manufacturing facility in full operation to help give them an insight into oil and gas careers as trainee designers, engineers and workshop apprentices.

Last Friday’s (June 6) open day also included a tour of the facilities, technical presentations and demonstrations with opportunities to speak with key product specialists, many of whom have more than 30 years’ experience in the business.

David Lamont, Proserv CEO, said: “As a people-driven organization, we are committed to helping the energy industry raise awareness and promote the diverse range of long-term career opportunities to the next generation. The industry offers exciting prospects on a global scale and we hope that the students who visited our facilities will consider a career in oil and gas after experiencing the different types of jobs first hand. In the last few years, we have taken on over 40 apprentices across our UK operations and all have gone onto permanent placements.

“Last year, we also gave apprentices, who successfully completed their apprenticeship training, the opportunity of placements at our Jebel Ali facility in Dubai as a reward for their hard work and commitment. Three apprentices took up the offer to put their own skills into practice while experiencing how a business successfully operates in another region. As well as the obvious cultural differences, the apprentices learned about the different work ethic and expertise of their counterparts.”