What employers say

“Total E&P UK have supported the industry apprenticeship scheme since its inception, we are committed to supporting OPITO to ensure our industry has a pipeline of fresh talent to take our assets forward. The scheme provides an excellent opportunity for motivated individuals to become part of a fast moving industry with a wealth of opportunities for those who work hard and show potential.

Over the last three years, Total E&P UK has directly recruited 15 of their sponsored apprentices on completion of the apprenticeship programme. These individuals form part of our core operations at the Shetland Gas Plant and show an ongoing commitment to the environment we work in.”
Hazel Clinton, Career management, training & development leader, Corporate Services, Total E&P UK Ltd

“BP has been a supporter of the OGTAP programme since 2002, during which time we have sponsored nearly 200 apprentices. The programme offers a valuable learning experience, while providing the oil and gas industry with suitably skilled, trained and motivated technicians. It plays a key role in helping BP bring great talent into our organisation, enabling us to support and invest in the technicians of tomorrow.”
Mark Thomas, BP North Sea regional president

“Aker Solutions is sincerely proud to support the OGTAP programme. It provides us with a framework in which to bring young, talented people into our organisation, provide them with the specific training and qualifications that they need and, most importantly, retain that talent in our industry over the long term. The programme benefits us as organisations, it benefits our clients and it benefits our industry as a whole.”
Craig Wiggins, SVP production asset services EMEA, Aker Solutions

“Bringing new talent to Maersk Oil, and indeed the industry, is essential to making sure we always have the skills and resources to keep producing oil and gas safely and efficiently.

“The OGTAP scheme is valuable to us because it introduces young people to our business and gives us the chance to help them build on their talents and provide the experience they need to grow. Since 2007, many technicians have completed OGTAP through Maersk Oil and have gone on to permanent roles across our business, some are working in Singapore on our flagship Culzean development.

“By participating in the scheme we’re doing our part to develop the next generation for the oil and gas industry. OGTAP makes that process easier for us, and it ensures a consistently high competency standard across the industry.”
Celia MacDonald, HR director, Maersk Oil

“Repsol Sinopec Resources UK Ltd has participated in the OGTAP scheme for a number of years and is proud to continue. It is beneficial for us as it gives the opportunity to bring new talent into our business whilst giving us the assurance that everyone has undertaken training to a consistent standard. At the same time the scheme opens up career progression opportunities for apprentices which is a significant benefit to them. We currently sponsor 45 OGTAP apprentices in different stages of the programme.”
Gary Tootill, general manager, Repsol Sinopec Resources UK

“Nexen Petroleum U.K. Limited works closely with OPITO and we are delighted to have Nexen representatives on the OPITO board. We are a long term supporter of the Oil and Gas Technical Apprentice Programme, which is managed by OPITO, and have continued to invest in the programme which has now become one of the most successful apprenticeship schemes of its kind.

“This year, Nexen will have eight OPITO apprentices working across our organisation - this invaluable scheme allows younger students to gain real exposure to the oil and gas industry, providing a practical way of learning about the sector and encourages youngsters to develop their skills in preparation for their future in the working world as skilled technicians.”
Ray Riddoch, manging director and senior vice president Europe, Nexen Petroleum U.K. Limited

“Chevron participates in the Oil and Gas Technical Apprentice Programme (OGTAP) as part of our broader talent pipelining and social investment strategy.  OGTAP provides our trainees with the structure, technical knowledge and experienced mentoring they need to flourish in their discipline and future careers.”
Armaghan Haque, Chevron Upstream Europe HR manager

"The young talent that we bring in through OGTAP will ultimately become the next generation of offshore technicians, so the programme is fundamental to the future success of our industry. OGTAP enables apprentices to gain both vital technical knowledge and the necessary hands-on offshore experience. It's extremely rewarding to be involved – I personally really enjoy having the opportunity to watch our apprentices develop into competent technicians."
Adam Cheesman, an Operations Manager for EPS West, Petrofac.