(Photo: Pipeworx)

TORonTO – A new survey suggests that Canadian oil and gas companies are anxious over a coming skills shortage, but otherwise optimistic about the future.

The survey, the 2013 Oil and Gas Global Salary Guide, was produced by the recruiting firm Hays Oil & Gas and the jobsite, Oil and Gas Job Search.

According to the survey, 54 per cent of Canadian oil and gas employers cite skills shortages as a significant issue. Despite this though, almost three-quarters 73 per cent expect to increase hiring in the next 12 months.

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The survey also notes that fewer young Canadian professionals are entering the oil and gas labour force, which bucks the global trend.

As a result, the make up of the labour force in the sector is less than ideal. The survey shows 18 per cent of the current Canadian labour force is under 35 years old, while that same age group makes up 33 per cent of the worlds oil and gas labour market.

Furthermore, Canada has a high percentage of older employees, with 42 per cent between 35 and 49 years old, while another 40 per cent are 50 years old and over.

The Canadian oil and gas industry is watching its talent supply dry up, said Jim Fearon, Regional Director, HaysCanada.

A high volume of oil and gas employees are approaching retirement and without attracting a younger work force and addressing skills shortages this sector is facing major challenges to meet its growth potential.

“Having a robust strategy in place to tap into the global talent pool will be critical in the short term, and working on strategies to increase the level of home grown entrants into the industry is going to be vital in the medium to long term.

Despite the concerns over the labour force though, there is still optimism in the industry. Over the next 12 months 38 per cent of employers expect to increase salaries by up to 5 per cent, while another 31 per cent of employers expect to increase salaries between 5 to 10 per cent.