Friday 24 August 2007

Oil & Gas UK Launches Search for North Sea Talent!

The search is now officially on for nominations to compete in this year's prestigious Oil & Gas UK Awards.  Entries are being accepted for the competition which celebrates young talent and recognises the importance of mentors working in the UK oil and gas industry.

This year's competition follows the same successful format as last year. Prizes will be awarded in three categories:

• The Pearl Award for Overall Excellence, which recognises outstanding work by young people in the industry today
• The Pearl Award for the Young Technician of the Year, which recognises the vital contribution of our industrys young technicians
• The Oyster Award for Mentoring, which recognises the important role that mentors play in passing on their knowledge and expertise to the next generation of oil and gas workers. 

Malcolm Webb, Oil & Gas UK's chief executive, said: "The UK oil and gas industry employs a highly skilled workforce which keeps the UKCS at the forefront of offshore expertise and technology. The Oil & Gas UK Awards provide a platform for companies to give recognition to the value of their employees. It is essential that we continue to attract these highly talented people into the industry so that they we can sustain the success of the UK's industry into the future."

Werner Schinagl, last year's winner of the Pearl Award for Overall Excellence, said: "The awards last year were a fantastic experience and presented me with the opportunity to share my opinions to an industry-wide audience. The Awards highlight the great achievements of the people in this industry, and I would wholeheartedly recommend entering them."

The Award for Overall Excellence and The Young Technician of the Year Award are open to anyone currently employed in the UK oil and gas industry, aged between 19 and 30, with at least two years' experience.  The candidates must submit a short essay outlining the measures they believe should be taken by the UK oil and gas industry to ensure its demand for skilled people is met so that a sustainable, long-term future is built.

Nominees for the Mentoring Award can be of any age, with at least five years' experience in the industry. A short case study must be submitted illustrating why the nominee is being put forward, including evidence of the contribution they have made to their company and to the UK oil and gas industry in general.

There will be one winner in each category who will receive a cash prize of £500 and a unique, specially-commissioned trophy designed by the talented glass artist Elin Issacson who was a Scottish regional finalist in this year's Shell Livewire Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards.

The closing date for entries is October 1, 2007 and the winners will be announced at the Oil & Gas UK Awards Dinner on November 22, 2007.

Full details, including entry forms, are available to download from the Oil & Gas UK website

Sally Fraser

Oil & Gas UK Media Relations                   

2nd Floor                                           

232-242 Vauxhall Bridge Road                  

London

SW1V1AU                                                                                                       

Tel:                020 7802 2404/2400

Fax:                020 7802 2401

Email:             sfraser@oilandgasuk.co.uk

Pager:            07659 183 999

http://www.oilandgasuk.co.uk

NOTE TO EDITORS

1. Oil & Gas UK is the leading representative organisation for the UK offshore oil and gas industry.  Its members are companies licensed by the Government to explore for and produce oil and gas in UK waters and those who form any part of the industrys supply chain.  It has 60 members.