More should be done by industry and education to encourage young people to do science-based subjects, it has been claimed.

The Oil & Gas Academy (Opito) has said that not enough is being done to promote the career opportunities that are available through scientific subjects.

A recent report entitled Learning to Love Science: Harnessing Children’s Scientific Imagination revealed that young people did not understand the variety of science-related careers.

The Shell-commissioned study found that science lessons inspired 42 per cent of nine year olds, compared to 38 per cent of 12 year olds and 35 per cent of 14 year olds.

David Doig, chief executive of Opito, explained that the oil and gas industry is desperate for engineers.

He stated that "to bridge the gap we need more young people with science related subjects coming into the sector".

Meanwhile, Subsea UK, a body promoting the subsea sector, has recently been actively engaging with school pupils, teachers and employers in an attempt to attract interest.

Opito claims that almost half a million jobs in the UK are provided by the oil and gas industry.

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