With the rising cost of oil driving forward exploration efforts in the North Sea, observers have predicted that the energy sector in the north-east of England is likely create thousands of specialist jobs over the next few years.

New research has revealed that the oil and gas industry in the region currently employs some 5,000 people, while there are also around 1,730 job vacancies needing to be filled.

While north-east energy companies such as Wellstream, SMD and Duco have taken on hundreds of new workers over recent years, industry experts have warned that a relative shortage of skilled workers may see employers struggle to fill the 10,000 new positions expected to be created by 2015.

George Rafferty, chief executive of NOF Energy, which came up with these latest figures, noted: "Employers are crying out for talented personnel and can offer north east people the opportunity to be part of an exciting, expanding and dynamic sector, which offers secure career opportunities."

The comments come just days after Newcastle University's Business School co-hosted an event with its School of Marine Science and Technology aimed at encouraging students to consider careers in the subsea oil and gas sector.