Aker Solutions has issued a clarification on a story reported by Norwegian broadcaster NRK saying that Aker Solutions’ fabrication yard in Egersund, Norway, will be letting 1,500 temporary workers go after the new year.

The company said that while it is common practice at the yard to adjust the temporary workforce to existing activity levels, no decision has been made to let people go next year.

According to the company, the yard currently employs about 2,200 workers, both temporary and permanent, for work on 14 projects. Aker Solutions further notes that activity levels are nearly record high as several projects are at an intensive stage of work. The company says the workload is expected to come down next year and the need for contractors will be reduced as projects are completed and that this is in line with the yard’s plans.

“We are currently tendering for several new projects for our Egersund yard and we are confident that we will secure new work to maintain a robust activity level also during the last half of 2015,” said Per Harald Kongelf, head of Aker Solutions in Norway.

“We have no plans to lay off staff.”

The use of contractors is part of the yard’s business model and has typically fluctuated from year to year, Aker Solutions said and further explained that the yard typically uses contractors when activity levels are high and scales back this use as projects are completed. The contractors are often hired in from sub-suppliers and customers and have contracts for specific periods.

The table below is issued by Aker Solutions and it shows the fluctuations in the yard’s workforce since 2010. The numbers are comprised of permanent and temporary labor.

Time Number of workers at yard

Spring 2010 2,000

Fall 2010 400

Spring 2013 2,900

Fall 2013 900

Spring 2014 1,500

Fall 2014 2,200

Source: www.offshoreenergytoday.com

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