The Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA) has launched a new oil and gas industry training programme aimed at entry-level offshore workers.

Under the new common safety training programme, all new workers will be required to demonstrate awareness of critical safety responses and behaviours, with successful trainees due to be issued with a common safety training card.

APPEA chairman Eric Streitberg said that the new training programme will be essential to avoid a critical skills shortfall as Australia's oil and gas industry continues to grow.

"The timing of this initiative is vital for the oil and gas sector as we anticipate over 20,000 new employees joining our industry over the next few years, many for the first time," he commented.

The organisation last month welcomed developments made under the terms of Western Australia's Strategic Energy Initiative that will improve pricing and efficiency in the local natural gas industry.

Oil and Gas Directory: Training and Development