Refining and petrochemical plants compete for engineers.
The demand for companies to increase production levels, modernize current facilities, and discover new ways to refine and use petroleum products is driving the need for engineering and design professionals in the oil, gas and petrochemical industries, according to Mike Autrey, group vice president, Jacobs Engineering.
“There is a need for engineers in many disciplines. However, process, mechanical and project engineers are in the highest demand at this time,” Autrey said.
Vita P. Como, senior director, Professional Development, Cullen College of Engineering Career Center, University of Houston, said it is seeing the demand as well.
“We had a career fair for engineering recently, and we had to cut it off at 150 companies because we were out of space. We have also been booked all year for companies recruiting, and a large part of these companies are in the petrochemical industries. However, we are seeing the demand for engineers across the board, for all of our disciplines related to the energy industry, and we do not see this demand slowing down any time soon,” Como said.
Autrey agreed and said, “Staffing of qualified engineers is expected to increase in the next couple of years at Jacobs, to support our growth and increased opportunities globally.”
According to Como, the University of Houston has seen a 40 percent increase in enrollment in its engineering programs.
“More people are looking at engineering as a career than we have seen in the past, which is due to the continual coverage of the need, engineering companies being active in high schools and colleges, and the professional societies promoting programs for students,” Como said.
Graduating engineering students at the University of Houston are seeing multiple job offers, across the board.
“We have students being hired not only in the petrochemical industry, but also by service companies, manufacturing, tool companies and the major players in the energy industry,” Como said.
The U. S. Department of Labor also is reporting that most engineering disciplines will grow throughout 2020, noting that oil prices will be a major factor in employment growth.
Higher prices lead to increasing complexity of oil companies’ operations, which requires more engineers.
“At Jacobs, engineers work in collaborative project task forces across a diverse range of areas, including design, development, engineering and evaluation of equipment and systems; plus other customized services are required to meet the business and project goals of our clients,” Avery said.
Jacobs Engineering has more than 100 jobs listed on its website for the Houston area alone.
In an effort to help meet this need, the University of Houston has begun a pre- engineering programs.
“The engineering programs have the highest entry- level requirements than any other college on the university’s campus. The pre- engineering program allows students to register for engineering undecided and take advanced math and science, ( since) their high school transcripts may not meet UH’s requirements. If they do well in the pre- engineering program, they will be admitted to the engineering program,” Como said.