WIRELINE ISSUE 27 SPRING 2014

SURVEYING

PROFILE

SCOPUS ENGINEERING’SACADEMY

TRAININGCENTRETACKLESSKILLSSHORTAGE

Sinceopening its training facility inAberdeen in2008, ScopusEngineeringhas significantly increased its turnover.The companybelieves its academyplays a key role in this success by tackling the shortageof skilleddimensional control surveyors headon,whichwas previouslypreventing the company fromgrowing. Scopus also launched similar centres inMalaysia andAzerbaijan three years ago and, inNovember 2013, the company unveiled a new and larger bespoke training facility inAberdeen following a large investment. The new site features a split level offshore scenario for practical training. One of the founders anddirectors, TomBryce, says: “Many of our recruits come from a civil engineering background but there is no further education course available in theUK to trainpeople for the type ofworkwe dooffshore. The latest investment in the academy allows us to increase the number of Scopus peoplewe can train, and, therefore, continuewith the strategy to develop the business.” The company currently employs 325people, including surveyors, engineers and2D and3Ddraughtsmen,with themajority of the team based inAberdeen. More than100 engineering staff have already been trained at theAberdeen site since 2008 and95per cent of those have remainedwith the company.

Developing an in-house training academy was crucial for ScopusEngineering’s growth, helping the firm toproactively address the shortage in skilleddimensional control surveyors

Furthermore, henotes that “outwith the north east of Scotland few youngpeople realise theopportunities theoil and gas industryoffers.Until I started going offshore I hadnever imaginedhalf the jobs there are.Offshore installations are like mini villageswith sparkies, plumbers, chefs, and soon”. It seemsWilliamhas no regrets about leaving theCaribbean. This is certainly a resounding endorsement of the satisfactionhe gets fromhis new career on theUKCS. He enthuses: “I lovemy job and themove to Scopus has exceededmy expectations. There are few jobs inwhich you can command the salary levels you can achieve in theoil and gas sector and which alsooffer global opportunities. I have travelled tohelpdeliver projects in SouthAfrica and Singapore and myongoing training is supportingmy professional development.Oneday I might return to theCaribbean, but that’s a longwayoff just now!” Formore information, please visit www.scopuseng.com/training-centre.htm.

offshore experience butwith the security that you can just nipnext door and ask for advice.” William suggests that the academy provides a blueprintwhichother organisations should follow. He says: “I think there is a perception amongst youngpeople that in spiteof the skills shortages it is a pretty tough industry to enter. That’s probably because everyone seems tobe looking for employeeswith experience; Scopus has tackled the skills shortage anotherway. The company is linkingwithuniversities to attract people and the academy is providing the bridge into the industry. It is a false economy toonly employ experiencedpeople because it is not sustainable.”

Henotes: “Oneofmy highlights so farwasworking for BPon theBruce platform after about fourmonths. BP was installing twonew exhausts about 30metres high and I carriedout all the measurements, design and engineering work for the first exhaust;when itwas dropped intoplaceperfectly itwas very rewarding to see something I had surveyed anddesigned fit as it should.” Plotting your course Williambelieves that Scopus’ training academywas key to a successful start to his career. “The trainingwas focused andwell structured.We had an experienced senior surveyor leading the training and in the academy there is amini platformwith pipes, gratings and stairwells; it gives you

“Until I started going offshore I had never imagined half the jobs there are. Installations are like mini villages with sparkies, plumbers, chefs and so on… There are few jobs in which you can command the salary levels you can achieve in the oil and gas sector and which also offer global opportunities.”

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