5 Industries Oil and Gas workers are transitioning from

A career in oil and gas does not always start in oil and gas.

Many workers build their experience in other industries before moving into drilling, well servicing, equipment maintenance, or production operations. Skills such as operating machinery, maintaining equipment, troubleshooting problems, and following safety procedures can be useful across different industrial sectors.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), nearly 50% of surveyed energy companies reported recruiting from neighbouring industries or increasing in-house training to fill skills gaps. The finding covers the wider energy sector, not oil and gas alone.

So, if you're considering a move into oil and gas, here are five industries where your existing skills could help you get started.

1. Construction

Construction workers often have experience operating equipment, working on industrial sites, handling tools, and following safety procedures. These skills can be relevant to oilfield construction, drilling support, and maintenance work.

Skills that can transfer:

• Heavy equipment operation

• Site safety and hazard awareness

• Working with tools and machinery

• Following work procedures and coordinating with a team
  

Potential career paths: Equipment operator, rig crew member, maintenance support worker, or oilfield construction worker.

2. Mining

Mining and oil and gas share several practical skills, including drilling, operating heavy machinery, maintaining equipment, and working in remote locations.

Workers who have operated drilling equipment or worked with industrial machinery may already have experience relevant to certain oilfield roles.

Skills that can transfer:

• Drilling and machinery operation

• Equipment inspection and maintenance

• Hazard identification

• Working in physically demanding environments

Potential career paths: Drilling crew member, equipment operator, field operations worker, or maintenance technician.

3. Manufacturing

Manufacturing workers often work with machinery, production systems, quality checks, and maintenance procedures. These skills can be useful in oil and gas production facilities, refineries, and equipment service companies.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics identifies production and maintenance-related occupations across several oil and gas industries, including petroleum product manufacturing and natural gas distribution.

Skills that can transfer:

• Operating and monitoring machinery

• Preventive maintenance

• Troubleshooting equipment problems

• Following operating procedures and recording results

Potential career paths: Production operator, equipment maintenance technician, mechanical technician, or process operations worker.

4. Automotive and Mechanical Services

Mechanics and automotive technicians spend much of their time diagnosing faults, repairing equipment, and understanding how mechanical systems work.

These skills can be relevant to oilfield equipment maintenance, where pumps, engines, hydraulic systems, and other machinery need regular inspection and servicing.

Skills that can transfer:

• Mechanical troubleshooting

• Preventive maintenance and repair

• Understanding engines and hydraulic systems

• Identifying equipment faults

Potential career paths: Mechanical maintenance technician, equipment service technician, or field service technician.

5. Power Generation and Utilities

Power generation and utilities workers may have experience with electrical systems, industrial equipment, instrumentation, and process monitoring.

These skills are relevant to many oil and gas facilities, which depend on reliable electrical, mechanical, and control systems.

Skills that can transfer:

• Electrical equipment maintenance

• Instrumentation and control systems

• Monitoring industrial processes

• Following safety procedures and work permits

Potential career paths: Electrical technician, instrumentation technician, industrial maintenance technician, or facility operations worker.

Moving into oil and gas doesn't always mean starting from scratch. Experience in construction, mining, manufacturing, mechanical services, or utilities may provide skills that are relevant to certain oilfield roles.

The next step is to identify where your experience fits, understand what employers expect, and build the additional knowledge you need.

Ready to take your first step into oil and gas? Explore LearnToDrill's online training courses to develop your industry knowledge and prepare for your next career opportunity.