Petrofac gives Aberdeen pupils insight into the oil and gas industry

Petrofac  marked its 20-year education/industry partnership with Kincorth Academy this week by welcoming pupils for a week of activities.

Twelve pupils from the Aberdeen school got a first-hand insight into the oil and gas industry and the career opportunities available. The activities, which spanned disciplines including operations, supply chain, emergency response and offshore training, were facilitated by Petrofac’s own team of graduates along with a number of subject matter experts.

During the week, the pupils:

• Took part in a simulated emergency response exercise at our Emergency Response Service Centre
• Observed an offshore mobilisation at Bristow Helicopters
• Visited supply chain solution provider Digital Applications International, and
• Carried out work at height training at local company Aquaterra

Kincorth Academy pupil, Erin Christie, said of the week’s activities: “One of the highlights for me was being launched from the freefall lifeboat at Petrofac’s Aberdeen Marine Training Centre. I was quite nervous at first but the instructors took us through a safety briefing and guided us through all of the steps. It was very different to anything I’ve done before and was a fantastic way to end a busy and exciting week that confirmed to me that I would like a career in oil and gas.”

The Petrofac and Kincorth Academy education/industry partnership was established to encourage pupils into science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) related subjects and provide young, developing individuals with a link to the oil and gas industry.

The activities week is one of many initiatives Petrofac has organised over the years to raise awareness of STEM and inspire Kincorth’s pupils to consider a STEM related career.

Dave Blackburn, Senior Vice President, Petrofac Engineering and Production Services West, said: “As a father I know how invaluable these practical experiences can be, particularly as young adults start to think about future career paths – that can be a daunting process, so we were delighted to welcome the pupils this week and allow them to get hands-on experience in a number of roles. Programmes like these let the pupils see the range of career prospects available to them, and the role STEM can play in developing these opportunities.”

“We’re very proud of our 20-year partnership with Kincorth Academy and all of the activities we’ve taken part in to inspire pupils to study STEM subjects and help prepare them for working life. We look forward to maintaining that strong relationship when Kincorth Academy merges with Torry Academy to create the new Lochside Academy in Aberdeen.”