Oil Patch Bits: CH2M HILL sees more North Slope business

Just one short year ago CH2M HILL was looking at renting out its fabrication shop to movie producers because the work was so limited. Today the workforce within CH2M HILL’s fabrication shop has increased by more than 800 percent and is bustling with individuals hard at work modules for BP, ConocoPhillips and ExxonMobil.

“We see more work on the horizon and it’s important that we begin preparing Alaskans for that work now,” said Sara Gould, manager of project resources.

Part of CH2M HILL’s future workforce strategy has been to recruit a mix of experienced and entry-level employees. CH2M HILL has shown the commitment to workforce development by employing eight electrical apprentices this year and a similar number of entry-level welders, recent high school and vocational school graduates.

To prepare the new workforce, CH2M HILL held a welding workshop for students interested in the business last year.

At the time there wasn’t enough demand to hire any of the nine students that passed the workshop. Now CH2M HILL has been able to hire two of those graduates into the fabrication shop.

With this increase in workforce CH2M HILL is preparing for a bright future in the Alaska market and is currently hiring for additional positions. Job opening can be found at www.careers.ch2m.com.