A total of 111 apprentices are being recruited by Statoil this year for its Norwegian platforms and land-based facilities. Due to start on 1 September, most will train for two years.
The apprenticeships are currently being advertised in the Norwegian press.
Applications for such posts at Statoil have lain around 1,000 qualified candidates annually in recent years, reports training coordinator Erna Jensen in Corporate Services.
Thirty-four of the trainees will serve at the Mongstad refinery near Bergen, 10 at the Troll gas treatment plant in the same region and 21 at the Kürstø treatment complex north of Stavanger.
Another four are destined for the Tjeldbergodden industrial complex in mid-Norway, five for the Trondheim research centre, three for head office and three for the Sandsli office outside Bergen.
Five will be recruited for the supply bases, and a total of 27 for Statoilâs offshore platforms.
Trades covered are automation technician and mechanic, electrician, industrial mechanic, chemical process technician, cook, office staff, laboratory technician and materials administrator.
âWeâre training skilled workers both as a basis for our own recruitment and as a contribution to ensuring that young people are qualified for jobs in other industries,â says Ms Jensen.
Statoil recruits apprentices from the whole country, and in accordance with Norwegian practice â the authorities provide the theoretical education and companies give the practical training.
The group recruited 120 apprentices last year and 83 in 2000.