Job market information
Finding out about petroleum
The petroleum industry is part of the broader science‐based sector represented by Cogent Sector Skills Council, which also includes chemicals, polymers, oil and gas, nuclear and pharmaceuticals industries. Most goods used by people in their homes, at work and in their everyday activities are products derived from the chemical, nuclear, oil and gas, petroleum and polymer industries. The combined industries represent nearly half a million people in the UK and are of huge economic and strategic importance to the UK.
The petroleum industry is also referred to as the ‘downstream’ sector and includes: stabilising, refining and manufacturing; storage, blending and distribution; and retail sale of automotive fuel. There are nine major oil refineries in the UK situated around the coastline for ease of access by crude oil tankers. Onward distribution is achieved via a national pipeline system and road, rail and sea transport. The main products of the downstream sector are transport fuels.
The industry is creating new “greener” fuels such as biodiesel and bioethanol, made from renewable sources including vegetables and wheat, to reduce harm to the environment.
Key facts:
- 43% of research and development in the industry is funded by the industry itself.
- 1,000 employees are employed in research and development activity.
- There has been an overall increase in research and development spending since 1998.
- The UK refineries, of which there is 9, are ranked 17th (out of 26) in Europe for competitive performance.
- The future direction of the industry remains stable with a declining need for petrol, but a rising demand for diesel.
- To manufacture biofuels, the workforce does not require new skills, but more likely an extension of existing skills.
- Process safety continues to be of the highest priority for downstream petroleum.
Jobs in the industry range from: Lab manager, Operations manager, Area superintendent, Senior engineer, HSE manager, Assistant planner, Control room operator, Graduate engineer, Panel operator, Core process operator, Maintenance technician.
Entry and progression
There are many and varied careers on offer within the industry. Career development in the petroleum industry is well respected and the companies which make up the sector are committed to investing in their people. It is also an industry that needs highly skilled people. There are many ways into the industry:
- Straight from school or college and progress through operator and technician roles onwards to craftsperson status
- Through apprenticeships such as the apprenticeship in process technology or chemicals manufacturing and petroleum industries
- Vocational qualifications such as process operations or engineering
- Higher education courses that have been designed to equip graduates with the practical and hands‐on knowledge
- In‐house training and development, of which there is a strong tradition in the sector.
The National Skills Academies for the process and nuclear industries will accredit in‐house training to ensure quality and consistency as well as help with transferability within and across the sector.
The Gold Standard, a national framework for continuous professional development, sets out the skills required in key job roles in the process industries by mapping competencies across each job.
For job specific entry requirements, take a look at our job profiles.
Workforce statistics
| Number of UK employees: |
150,000 |
|---|
| Number of UK employers: |
200 (7,000 including forecourt retail) |
|---|
| Gender: |
79% male |
24% female |
|---|
| Ethnicity: |
94% white |
6% non‐white |
|---|
| Age: |
7% of workforce is 16-24 years |
|---|
| 11% 25-34 years |
| 37% 35-44 years |
| 32% 45-54 years |
| 13% is 55 years and over |
[N.B. Data derived from Labour Force Survey (January‐December), 2006.]
Employment trends and future prospects
Employment across the whole sector is projected to continue to fall to 2017, but at a slower rate than in previous years.
The oil refining industry employs around 15,000 people directly, with a further 105,000 employed in support roles ranging from contractors to tanker drivers.
Skill requirements and shortages
- There is a 20% surplus of people qualified at S/NVQ level 1.
- There is a 27% under supply of people qualified to S/NVQ level 2 and 3 compared to the proportion of jobs at those levels.
- Level 2 and level 3 occupations account for 54% of the petroleum Industry.
- The top four skills that need improving or updating according to employers are customer handling, job‐specific practical or technical skills, teamworking and problem solving.
Occupational trends
Across the sector there is high demand for skilled managers, engineers and technicians, scientists, process operatives and professionals. Level 4 and 5 occupations, such as senior managers, scientists and chemical engineers, account for 61% of the overall workforce.
Petroleum industry occupational distribution
| Managers and Senior Officials |
28% |
|---|
| Professional Occupations |
12% |
|---|
| Associate Professional and Technical |
17% |
|---|
| Administrative and Secretarial |
14% |
|---|
| Skilled Trades Occupations |
5% |
|---|
| Personal Service Occupations |
1% |
|---|
| Sales and Customer Service Occupations |
2% |
|---|
| Process, Plant and Machine Operatives |
16% |
|---|
| Elementary Occupations |
5% |
|---|
[N.B. Data derived from Labour Force Survey (January‐December), 2006.]
National and regional data
Across Great Britain, there are an estimated 10,100 people working in the manufacture of refined petroleum products. The largest number of employees is located in:
- North West
- Yorkshire and the Humber
- Scotland
Forecourt retail headquarters are mainly located in London. In the North West, hydrocarbons are produced in the Irish Sea.
Salary levels
The UK’s median weekly earnings for those in the manufacture of refined petroleum products is £768.70.
For more information on pay scales go to the Cogent job roles 
.
Career paths
Careers in the industry are usually well‐paid and long‐term, with opportunities throughout the UK and often worldwide too. For further information:
Further sources
Produced Sept 2010, using Cogent AACS LMI report (Jun 2010)
