The East of England energy sector needs more project managers.

Identified as a skills shortage area, Daniel Bradley, an experienced oil and gas project manager and deputy lead for the Association of Project Management in the region, says it’s a “dynamic and fulfilling career” that young people need to know about.

“We need competent project managers to deliver the energy transition. If we are going to spend money in our region and deliver these projects well, we need good project management,” Daniel said.

Daniel (third from left) is heading up EEEGR’s action taskforce to address the regional energy skills gap(Image: EEEGR)

He pointed to the London Olympics in 2012 as the pinnacle of a massive project delivered well, and leaving a legacy – something the energy transition must also do.

“Project management is varied. A project manager is responsible for delivering the whole project. It has a defined scope, start and finish dates and a budget.

“What is great about project management is that you need to know a little bit about everything. You need to know about leadership because you are leading people and are responsible for their development and growth on the project,” Daniel explained.

“You are responsible for contracting and procurement, and you need to understand what the project needs to be a success.

“In our industry, you need to understand engineering and how oil and gas is produced, its operations, health and safety, construction and processes.

“It can be very general, but you can also be a specialist, a chartered project manager. You might enjoy finance so can move into cost control or move into different industries because........

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