Oil’s well for North Sea freelancers

The number of permanent jobs advertised in the North Sea oil and gas sector has fallen by a third in the past year following a slump in crude prices.

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As a result, employers are focusing on shorter-term projects, according to Edinburgh-based Advance Global Recruitment, which has seen a 35 per cent increase in revenues generated by temporary contract placements.

Managing director Stuart Hunter said: “The reduction in the oil price has certainly had an effect with a lot of projects that were due to start being shelved, delayed or postponed until further notice and, at times, completely cancelled.

“However, we’ve also been presented with great opportunities, particularly in the contract market. As a result we’ve become contract specialists and the large majority of our business is now focused on supplying freelance contractors and this is an area that has increased due to the downturn.”