Working within the energy sector in the Americas and seeking a career there is still considered very worthwhile for graduates and seasoned business people alike.  Houston obviously has prospered from the revenues and businesses that generate jobs and innovation as a result.  Simon and me were lucky enough to have dinner this week with Derek Blackwood OBE, a Global Scot, based in Houston.  He has responsibility for 7,000 staff and is a passionate believer in developing human capital..hence his work with the Foundation.  He is taking another 5 Scottish Saltire undergrad interns this year and we will meet them in July when they arrive...

Scotland has obviously benefitted from having oil near it's shores. In other circumstances, it may have gotten more out the deal.  We only have to look at Norway and the juxtaposition is stark.  However, like Houston with a population of almost 4 million inhabitants, Scotland is still benefitting from oil and gas.   Companies like the Wood Group, GEGROUP, Clyde Blowers, Shawcor, the STATS group, Petrology etc... continue to innovate and provide employment, revenues and a future for Scotland.  It's ironic that as the oil price rises in the future as stocks deplete and China etc need more of the black stuff, then Scotland has an even higher potential to generate more revenues, as deep water and less accessible fields that are at present not commercially viable, become so....

Before arriving in Texas, I wrongly assumed the oil and gas sector was moribund in Scotland.  That is far from the case.  Not just because, we can extract more from difficult geographies, but because the new technologies, research and development and consequent innovation assists as a catalyst for new businesses that have global implications for the Scottish economy.  The knowledge or 'stuff' that Scotland has and is developing will buttress it's economy in the future in terms of new products, new technology and engineering....  And as David Miller knows, we are pretty good at that.....

But it doesn't stop there.... renewable energy is important also.  But it will take time to refine and make it as cost effective as possible... So my argument is this.....by investing and innovating now to develop new ways to extract and convert  oil and gas and contribute positively to the Scottish economy, these companies are providing the time required for renewables to come good.....