The benefits of recruitment process outsourcing in the energy industry

Effective recruitment is the foundation of any successful business. But in the energy sector, where employers manage a mix of permanent staff and temporary contractors, the challenge of recruitment becomes even more complex.

The ongoing labour shortage in the industry further complicates matters for hiring managers, who are now faced with a reduced talent pool to pick from. In such a competitive market, only the most meticulous recruitment strategy will attract the best talent.

How recruitment agencies can support energy employers

Outsourcing recruitment to a specialist agency is a worthwhile option for employers without the necessary resources or expertise to find the best talent. Recruitment agencies pick up the heavy lifting of selecting and onboarding candidates who slot seamlessly into the business from day one.

As energy companies reshuffle their staff ahead of the energy transition, the task of finding the right fit becomes even more challenging. Here are five reasons why recruitment agencies are best placed to take on this challenge and lead the hiring process for employers in the energy sector.

Larger talent pool

Unlike most in-house recruitment strategies, working with an energy recruitment agency allows employers to target passive job candidates. Passive candidates – workers who aren't actively job searching – make up around 70% of the workforce and are often the most talented.

Casting a wider net inevitably yields better results when recruiting for roles in the oil and gas or renewable energy sector. A larger candidate pool also allows for more inclusive recruitment, with the removal of bias and use of diverse interview panels a key focus of recruitment agencies.

Improved quality of hire

By outsourcing recruitment, employers hand over the task of talent acquisition to highly trained industry professionals. Experienced recruiters know exactly what to look for in terms of technical and cultural fit and draw on the latest methods to ensure the right match is made.

Identifying the best talent is only one side of the coin. In the energy sector, where skilled workers find themselves in especially high demand, leading recruitment agencies will be able to convey employer branding in a way that sells the job to candidates in high demand.

Highly specialised recruitment

Global fossil fuel demand is projected to peak by 2025. As we see oil and gas recruitment starting to contract and the focus shifting to renewable energy and other specialised fields like digital transformation, employers will need to target specific skillsets that are currently in short supply.

In specialised markets, recruiters must have industry-specific knowledge and understand the precise demands of the positions for which they are hiring. Petroplan’s recruitment team is divided into five sectors, with each consultant a subject matter specialist in their respective field.

Reduced time-to-hire

With the help of an energy recruitment agency, employers in the industry can streamline their recruitment process and improve time-to-hire. Recruiters undertake all talent sourcing, presenting only the best candidates to hiring managers for consideration.

Advanced recruitment technologies such as applicant tracking and psychometric testing, which may not be available to employers internally, can accelerate the process. Systems are put in place to guard against delays and fast-track candidates who show the most promise.

Workforce management

The best recruitment agencies work with partners beyond the point of employment to ensure compliance is met and new hires are ready to carry out their duties. Workforce management services offered by Petroplan include onboarding, payroll and HSE.

These services are especially important with contract hire, where the tie between employer and employee is more tenuous. As a second point of contact for employees, recruitment agencies play their own part in the onboarding process, helping new hires hit the ground running.

The energy sector’s leading talent solutions provider

Petroplan has served the energy industry with strategic talent solutions for over 45 years. In that time, we’ve built a global community of engaged candidates and contractors with skills spread across all types of energy disciplines.

As Champions of Talent, we provide industry-leading permanent hire and contract hire services to our clients. If your company is recruiting, whether for roles in oil and gas or the renewable energy sector, we can connect you with the right candidates.

Contact us today.