A total of 129 apprentices have been taken on by Statoil this year at its offshore installations, land-based plants, supply bases and Trondheim research centre.
This compares with 128 such recruitments in 2004, and sets a record for the group. It currently has 257 apprentices on the payroll.
Most of the new intake started on 1 September to pursue a two-year training programme for most trade qualifications. Women account for 32 per cent of the total.
âWeâve achieved a good geographic spread, with each of Norwayâs 19 counties represented,â says Erna Jensen, who has been responsible for this yearâs apprentice recruitment.
A stable, highly-skilled workforce is a priority for Statoil.
Just over 1,000 applications are received every year for the apprenticeships advertised in Norwegian newspapers and on the Statoil web site.
The Mongstad refinery north of Bergen has the largest number of apprentices. Its 71 trainees include 34 appointed in 2004 and this yearâs intake of 37.
A total of 20 apprentices have now been recruited for the gas processing plant at Kürstø north of Stavanger to supplement the 24 appointed last year.
Ten new recruits have joined 10 existing trainees at the Kollsnes gas processing plant near Bergen, and the Tjeldbergodden industrial complex in mid-Norway takes on six apprentices a year.
On the Norwegian continental shelf, the largest number of new apprentices â eight in all â has been appointed to the Statfjord C team.
âWe train personnel in 11 trades today, with the emphasis on automation and chemical process technicians, industrial mechanics, electricians and crane drivers,â says Ms Jensen.
âThe crane driver training programme was trialled for several years, and the good experience gained has led to it being officially approved. Weâve doubled the number of apprentices recruited for this trade in 2005.â
She adds that a security guard qualification is also due to be officially accepted as a new trade next year.
âWeâre in an expansive period and need more personnel,â she says. âA large proportion of our apprentices can accordingly look forward to continued employment with us after they qualify.â
That accords with Statoilâs policy on apprentices and recruitment, which aims to contribute to sustainable development and accept social responsibility.
It does this by providing a technical training for inquisitive young people who in turn come up with new ideas and stimulate creativity.