Responses provided to the following Frequently Asked Questions
are for general information purposes only and are not intended as
actual career advice. Job seekers are encouraged to conduct
additional research to make an informed career decision. The
Petroleum Human Resources Council of Canada is not responsible for
decisions made based on this information.
Careers in Oil and Gas Website
Working in Oil and Gas
Oil and Gas Industry Operations
Resources for Immigrants, Women and Career
Changers
Careers in Oil and Gas Website
Do you hire for positions in oil and gas? Can I submit
my resume and cover letter to you? Where can I find job postings on
your website?
The Careers in Oil and
Gas website's primary purpose is to provide information,
education and resources about working in the Canadian oil and gas
industry. We have just launched a Job Board, where you can search for jobs and
set-up a Job
Seeker Account to be notified of positions that you're
interested in.
We cannot accept cover letters or resumes from job seekers at
this time.
If you are looking for employment in the oil and gas
industry:
Do you offer employment counseling services? Who can I
talk to about finding a job in oil and gas?
We do not offer employment counseling or job search
services. However, you can visit our Job Seeker
Tools page for job search tips and resources. For help with
your job search, we encourage you to visit your local Service Canada Centre or call 1 800 O-Canada
(1-800-622-6232) for career services in your area. To access
Government of Canada information from outside of Canada, visit
the Canadian embassy or consulate nearest you or
access the Service Canada Directory.
Working in Oil and Gas
What are the average salaries / wage pay rates for oil
and gas workers? Is it true that oil and gas workers are well
paid?
Wages and salaries vary depending on a worker's
occupation, skills and experience. Visit our Pay & Benefits
page for information on oil and gas salaries and wages.
What are the working conditions like for oil and gas
workers?
Working conditions really depend on what you're doing and
where. You could be working inside - in an office, warehouse,
processing facility or plant - or outdoors - on a pipeline or rig
site - or even somewhere in between, like driving a truck!
Field positions typically operate on shifts, and often require
working away from home in physically demanding roles and
challenging conditions. It's not for everyone! But the tough
schedules and working conditions are balanced by long periods of
days off, when workers get some much needed rest and
relaxation.
Office positions are less physically demanding, but often
require higher levels of education. Schedules depend on the
position and the company.
Learn more about Working Conditions and check out
the Day
in the Life profiles of people working in the industry.
Are there other jobs in oil and gas besides working
outside on a rig?
Of course! There are hundreds of jobs requiring different skill
sets, education and levels of experience. To learn more about the
diverse jobs and careers available, visit our Career Options
pages. To get a listing of oil and gas jobs that would match your
interests and working preferences, take our Choose Your Future
Interactive Quiz.
What kind of jobs in oil and gas are in-demand?
Finding the right career path in oil and gas can take
some time, and requires a bit of research, advance planning and
soul-searching. Our Career Trends section is one tool you can
use to learn about jobs that are in-demand. This information
provides clues to the current job market and conditions,
information on occupations, and employment outlooks for the decade
ahead. You can find labour market information from a variety of
sources - all you need to do is look around! The internet, news
reports and industry associations are a few of the places you can
find valuable labour market information, to help in making informed
career decisions.
Where are oil and gas jobs found? Do I have to move to
Alberta to work in oil and gas?
While oil and gas jobs are found throughout Canada,
activity is more concentrated in western Canada (British
Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan)
and the east coast (Newfoundland
and Labrador and Nova Scotia).
Your petroleum industry career could be in a bustling centre, a
quiet northern town or a coastal community! Visit Oil &
Gas Locations for more information.
What do I need to consider when relocating for a job in
oil and gas? What are living conditions like in oil and gas
communities? Is accommodation easy to find?
There are many factors affecting a decision to relocate
to another city or town for a job. This is a major decision that
requires careful planning, research and discussion with your
family. Talking to a professional career counselor will help you
explore your options and understand the steps involved. We
encourage you to visit your local Service Canada Centre for assistance or call 1
800 O-Canada (1-800-622-6232) for career services in your area.
If you are offered a position in oil and gas, ask the employer
what type of relocation assistance is available, if any. Some
companies provide housing allowance/compensation and/or camp
accommodations. Some offer "fly-in fly-out" options for in-demand
occupations, but this greatly varies by the company, industry
sector and resources available.
Make sure you get all the relevant relocation information before
you accept a position in a new community. Visit our Relocation
page for some useful tips.
Is it safe to work in oil and gas?
Oil and gas employers know that people are their most
important assets, so they go to great lengths to operate safely. In
addition, the oil and gas industry is highly regulated and
monitored by government and safety bodies to ensure the safest work
environment for workers. Check out our Safety page for more
information on what the oil and gas industry does every day to
protect workers.
How do oil and gas employers deal with drugs and
alcohol?
Use of drugs and alcohol in the workplace greatly compromises the
safety of workers and the public. Oil and gas employers have very
clear policies against the use of drugs and alcohol in the
workplace. Pre-requisite and random drug testing, as well as "dry"
camps, are common in the industry. Learn about a potential
employer's drug and alcohol policy before accepting a position so
you understand the regulations and you are certain you can follow
the rules.
What kind of education and training do I need to work in
oil and gas?
Trade tickets, college diplomas, professional certifications and
university degrees can take you far in the oil and gas industry.
Math, science and computer courses are particularly valuable in
many industry sectors, as much of the equipment used in the field
requires you to deal with instrumentation, computers and
chemicals.
The types of courses and training vary by occupation, so be sure
to research your education options before starting your career in
the industry. Find out more at Training & Education.
Also check out our Career Options section, which provides
information on typical education and training required for specific
occupations.
Many employers also require safety training as a pre-requisite to starting a
job in the oil and gas industry.
Can I work as an apprentice in oil and
gas?
More than 200 different trades offer apprenticeship training
programs in Canada. Many of those apprentice programs operate in
the oil and gas industry. To learn more, go to our Apprenticeship and
Trades Training page.
How do I choose a suitable career in oil and
gas?
To find out which oil and gas careers would be suitable for you
based on your skills and interests, take our Choose Your Future -
Interactive Quiz.
There are also a number of tools and resources on this website
that provide information and tips on starting and choosing a
careers in oil and gas:
How do I find oil and gas companies to work for in
Canada?
If you are looking for employment, please visit these
resources:
Oil and Gas Industry Operations
What is the oil and gas industry doing to protect the
environment?
In Canada, strict environmental regulations govern all oil and gas
activity and ensure operations are completed with minimal
disturbance to the environment. But the industry does more than
just follow regulations. To offset the industry's impacts on air,
water and land, companies invest millions of dollars in programs
and technologies that help reduce their environmental footprint
before, during and after operations.
Learn more about the industry's environmental initiatives on
our Environment page and from the Canadian
Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) Stewardship
website.
Isn't oil and gas considered a "sunset industry"? If I
join the industry, will I be able to have a career until I
retire? Will there be oil and gas jobs in the
future?
No one can predict the future, but worldwide demand for
petroleum products continues to grow. Canada's vast petroleum
reserves are expected to last for many decades to come,
particularly as new technologies are developed that help us get at
the more challenging resource pools. This means that if you decide
start a career in oil and gas, you will join an industry with a
future.
In fact, according to a recent labour
market study released by the Petroleum HR Council
of Canada (the Council), the industry will need to hire between
39,000 and 130,000 workers to support new oil
and gas activity as well as replace retiring workers by the year
2020. For more information, visit the Future of
Oil and Gas.
Resources for Immigrants, Women and Career Changers
I am a recent immigrant to Canada and I'm interested in
working in oil and gas. What do I have to do get a job in oil and
gas?
Visit our Resources for Immigrants
page, where you'll find a step-by-step guide and listing of
immigrant serving agencies across Canada.
Are women welcome in the oil and gas
industry?
The oil and gas industry in Canada has historically been a "man's
world", but that's changing. Today, women make up a growing
percentage of the oil and gas workforce and can be found working in
all sectors of the industry. Check out our Resources for
Women for more details.
I'm interested in changing careers and want to work in
oil and gas. Can I transfer my experience?
You may indeed be able to transfer your skills and valuable
work experience gained in previous jobs to a new career in the oil
and gas industry. Visit Resources for Career
Changers to learn more.
To find out which oil and gas careers would be suitable for you
based on your skills and interests, take our Choose Your Future -
Interactive Quiz or go directly to Career Options
to look for a new career in oil and gas.