Managers and executives affected by the downturn in the oil and gas industry are being targeted by a new support service from Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce.

The pilot project is aimed at helping middle and senior managers who might not know about or make use of existing employment services to get back into work. Executive Springboard – supported by the Transition Training Fund – will support up to 50 individuals to create a personal brand, open eyes to new industry sectors, build self-confidence and help candidates recognise their transferable skills. Those accepted on to the programme will benefit from a choice of learning modules designed to expand their skill set.

Liam Smyth, deputy chief executive of Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, said: “Whilst the true number of job losses due to the oil price crash can only be guessed at, it is known that displaced people at managerial and executive level rarely appear on the radar of the Job Centres and other public sector agencies, and they may be reluctant to access support or be unaware that support is available to them.

“The Executive Springboard programme has been created to help those from the oil and gas industry who have been made redundant in managerial and executive roles reconnect and diversify into new sectors that they may not have thought of before.

“This isn’t about the job that they did in the past, it’s about the skills that they’ve developed and how they can now be applied to new sectors.

We look forward to welcoming these executives back to the Chamber and supporting them to develop a new pathway to employment.”

Gordon McGuinness, Director of Industry and Enterprise Networks at Skills Development Scotland, said “At Skills Development Scotland and through the Energy Jobs Taskforce we are committed to helping individuals realise their potential and explore hitherto unrealised opportunities.

“The downturn in the oil and gas industry has affected workers at all levels. That is why we have developed a programme that offers intensive and structured support to help middle and senior executives.

“Those accepted on the programme will receive a range of support and I would encourage all managers in the sector who have been affected by redundancy to consider applying to join this exciting initiative.”

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