Jobless recovery looms for white-collar U.S. oil workers

Elizabeth Huber lost her job examining damaged oilfield pipes nearly 20 months ago and her prospects remain bleak even as oil executives cautiously plot production and budget increases.

Despite crude trading 76 percent above its February lows and energy companies shifting focus from survival to recovery, white-collar jobs in the sector remain as scarce as during the depths of the two-year oil price rout.

Like many laid-off energy sector specialists, Huber, 58, a metallurgical engineer who would analyze why damaged pipes, valves and other equipment failed, hopes this is just another cyclical downturn that will pass.

Recruiters warn that many jobs may not return even when the tentative recovery gains momentum. Job seekers, especially those who have been through several ups and downs and are now nearing retirement age, fear they may get sidelined for good. Read More…

Jobless recovery looms for white-collar U.S. oil workers