ENERGY SECTOR WORKFORCE IN SHARP DECLINE

THE number of workers in Trinidad and Tobago’s energy sector is shrinking. 

From 19,800 employees in the last quarter of 2015, there are now 6,900, according to the most recent Labour Force Survey Bulletin of the Central Statistical Office (CSO). 

That is the lowest energy sector employment figure in decades, according to knowledgeable industry officials. 

The energy workforce in 2014 was 21,300, according to other sources. 

The radical decline in the labour force is primarily a result of the shutdown of Petrotrin and other petrochemical operations, and mothballing of several Point Lisas plants that produce commodity products. 

BP, BHP Billiton and other multinationals have also shaved their respective labour forces in recent years. 

In addition, downstream operations and product and service providers have sent home workers. 

The closures of the plants have accelerated the slump in the energy sector, which has been in a virtual production freefall in recent years. 

The sector has weakened by an average of five per cent for each of the past four years. 

Sub-sectors, like crude oil exploration and extraction, petroleum support services, manufacture of petrochemicals, and asphalt production, have been particularly hard-hit. 

Several energy professionals have sought well-paying jobs in Guyana, which is enjoying a dramatic industrial expansion. 

Others are seeking to ply their skills in Suriname or traditional global energy destinations. 

The fall-off in energy sector employees is part of a contraction of the overall workforce, which has plummeted by up to 150,000 workers over the past five years. 

Up-to-date statistics are not available, but a good guide is that there have been at least 130,000 fewer contributors to the National Insurance Scheme during that period.  

The decline of the energy workforce is expected to be matched by reduced enrolments in industry-related tertiary studies, such as engineering and geology. 

But recent figures could not be obtained. 

Referring to the downstream energy sector, the Energy Chamber acknowledged “a major drop in the number of people who worked have earned at least some income working in one of the (energy) facilities.” 

The Chamber noted that fewer workers are now accessing compulsory health, safety and environment (HSE) information. 

The Government has not addressed the steady fall in energy sector employment, even at its sectoral conferences. 

 Since energy workers are typically well paid, they are major consumers of goods and services, especially in their respective communities, most of which are in South Trinidad. 

Industry experts say there would be a commensurate contraction of the labour force if the sector continues to shrink. 

Emerging technologies in the global oil and gas fields are expected to reduce the need for certain professionals. 

The current spike in international energy prices has not led to increased employment, sources have explained. 

But there could be some additional jobs if contracted deep-water exploration wells yielded results. 

Generally, though, experts say that energy sector employment would remain, at least for the foreseeable future, at one of the lowest levels in living memory. 

The experts are hoping for discoveries by BP, BHP, Shell and other hydrocarbon explorers.