Opportunities and Challenges in a Cyclical Industry

The project objective is to determine the tools, resources, and support needed by the oil and gas industry to increase the employment and retention of immigrants already living in Alberta into the upstream petroleum industry.

The Petroleum HR Council long recognized the need for the petroleum industry to diversify its labour force to meet the growing need for skilled employees. The 2003 study, The Decade Ahead, uncovered troubling information gaps between employers and potential employees that were impeding the industry's ability to attract and retain a diverse pool of talent.

The project researched the opportunities, barriers and feasibility of easing labour demands within the upstream petroleum industry by engaging workers from sectors with an expected surplus labour supply.