With Houston's oil industry currently suffering from a shortage of skilled design and engineering graduates, the plant and marine design company AVEVA has announced a new educational grant to Texas Southern University's College of Science and Technology.

Due to start later this year, the initiative will see the institution benefit from the company's PDS software, allowing students to develop 3D-design skills while working alongside oil industry and IT professionals.

Commenting on the grant, Rob Glasier, head of AVEVA Americas, said: "Buoyancy in the oil market is driving increased demand for new and refurbished drilling, production, and refining facilities worldwide

"This business boom has caused a scarcity of qualified, skilled designers and drafts people. We are very pleased to be a technology partner to a growing list of Houston-area technical schools, colleges and universities."

Already AVEVA has established a Global Academy aimed at addressing the skills shortage within the engineering industry and particularly the oil and gas sector.