Oil Pay cuts.

[campbell]

Informative summary, Kerry. Expect nothing less from you

Your position looking ok for now?

[BiggestNizzy]

Got told today we are letting another 18 go and the end of April.

[campbell]

Is your company aligned closely with O&G, Graeme?

[woody]

Got told today we are letting another 18 go and the end of April.

We're recruiting for a machining Special Process Owner, not sure if external though.

[BiggestNizzy]

Is your company aligned closely with O&G, Graeme?

80% of our business is O&G

Got told today we are letting another 18 go and the end of April.

We're recruiting for a machining Special Process Owner, not sure if external though.

Sounds interesting

[kerryxeg]

Informative summary, Kerry. Expect nothing less from you

Your position looking ok for now?

We've cut work programs so inevitably have cut staff and contractor positions to match the workload.

On the positive side we are working on new projects, but these take time to work there way through the approval project development process. I'm fortunate to be working in that area, so plenty to keep me occupied.

It's also worth pointing out that projects are normally owned by a partnership of operators. In the current market it is very difficult to get the agreement you need from all parties to move things forward. It's just a very difficult environment in all respects, but it will recover over time.

[campbell]

Graeme - Sounds like hard going.

Kerry - glad to hear that. Stakeholder management will be fun for you for a while!

[BiggestNizzy]

A dozen or so got let go yesterday. (some good guys this time) luckily I made the cut but I am scunnered with the place.

[campbell]

I'm really sorry to hear this.

[r10crw]

A dozen or so got let go yesterday. (some good guys this time) luckily I made the cut but I am scunnered with the place.

Sadly its the same everywhere and not much you can do but keep on working and doing what you do.

We just announced another 18 (Were already down to 55ish from around 90) so our office is a real miserable place to be just now. The decisions were making are real tough and I can understand a lot of peoples mistrust with management however at the end of the day if were losing money we need change.(Not directed at you at all BTW)

Were all smart enough to understand this but so many in my office are whining on about what they have done over the years and they (Management) should make allowances. If we make allowances then the reality is that the whole office could go down and no matter how many times you explain that 30 with a job and potential is better than 50 without they just cant grasp it. I really believe that everyone should be made run their own firm for a while and look at the P&L, our Norwegian side have Unions and you would not believe the hassle.

Keep your head down and believe that there will be better times!
Craig

[campbell]

I really believe that everyone should be made run their own firm for a while and look at the P&L

...

Keep your head down and believe that there will be better times!

What he said. Educational.

Albeit even better to keep head UP and scanning the horizon for what next too

[111Robin]

If the property market wasn't also in decline I'd be selling up and getting out of the place no question. Ten months and counting looking for a job now and I don't see it changing. Unfortunately employers outwith the industry seem to have issues emp!oying ex O&G folk, plus the job market must be flooded with people looking for absolutely anything so they can afford to be ultra picky. I also suspect a bit of ageism is coming in to play as well, but maybe I'm just becoming paranoid. Either way I think Aberdeen is heading down the tubes, it will never pick up to where it was before.

[tut]

Feel for you Robin, ten months is no joke, and not something you can plan for in these circumstances.

As regards ageism you are correct, and believe me it gets worse.

tut

[111Robin]

Aye it creeps up on you Tut, there's life in the old dog yet though, just need to find someone who thinks the same !

[keevster]

Certainly a grim industry at the moment.
I am offshore right now, but since last September, I have only had 6 weeks offshore work, that is including my current two weeks. I am lucky in a way of having the NHS to fall back on. Solely relying on offshore, without NHS back up, I reckon my house would be gone, and I would be signing on. This must be the case for so many, who have failed to find other opportunities due to their trade background.

In my profession I have seen a gradual improvement in the offers I have had. Nothing materialised, as I am probably too expensive, but the contracts are obviously there, but being run with cheaper labour.
And when I say I am expensive, I am still on close to half on what some of the guys are on out here. I have worked overseas also in the Industry, but my trade is being filled by eastern europeans and South Africans. I started up a project last year for a Norwegian shipping company. 3 months into it, i got paid off, as another company was taking over the support contract. I was offered my position, with the other company, for 30k a year less For Africa, my money was borderline poor to begin with, but to drop it 30k just blew me away.