Overall, the Cogent sector has an ageing demographic profile and needs to attract younger people into the workforce to replace those retiring and leaving the sector.

In the chemical industry, there is an ageing workforce with fewer young people opting for science careers in general. Less than 4% of process operators are under 25 years, while 23% are over 50 years.

In the nuclear industry, a high level of replacement demand is expected in the next 15 years as large numbers will be retiring. Process operators have an ageing workforce with 14% aged over 55 years, although demand for this group will be declining as the industry moves into decommissioning this is outstripped by replacement demand.

There is an ageing workforce in the oil and gas industry with less than 6% of the workforce aged 25 years or under, 31% are 36-45 years and 29% are 46-55 years. However, the introduction of modern apprentices is expected to have an impact on the age profile of production and maintenance technicians.

The age profile of the petroleum industry by job is very varied and there are some concerns with regard to an ageing workforce. 43% of team leaders and supervisors in the sector are aged 45 years and over, plus 48% of drivers are aged 45 years and over. Much lower proportions of people employed in the industry are aged under 25 years: only 2% of team leaders and supervisors; 6% of control room operators; and 6% of routers and schedulers.

In the polymers industry there are a large number of employees aged 55 years plus so there is an urgent need for young recruits. The age profile across different parts of the industry is similar with the exception of rubber processing:

• sign making – 48% are aged 25-39 years; 4% aged 16-19 years
• rubber processing – 80% are 25-54 years; 1% aged 16-19 years
• plastics – 42% are aged 25-39 years; 5% aged 16-19 years

Source: Cogent Sector Skill Needs Assessment 2006 and Cogent 2003 – industry appendices

For more data on the age profile of the sector and its industries, and the sector in Scotland see: