Oil and gas are truly worldwide industries that have knock-on effects between countries; these resources may be found in one country, then piped and sold in others Because these industries are so close-knit, circumstances in even the smallest oil and gas-producing country can have far-reaching consequences across the globe

The Construction Industry operates on a global scale with many opportunities to work abroad The developed world maintains many types of project, including continuation, decommissioning and environmental work, much of which is implemented by some of the industry’s leading companies, who are diversifying into new markets

In spite of the pressure placed on businesses across the country by the current ‘credit crunch’, the UK’s rail industry seems to be enjoying a renaissance that will define it as one of the major rail industries in Europe, if not, the world The government is continuing to invest huge sums into the improvement of existing rail networks and is dedicated to providing a ‘greener’ service by the year 2014, aiming to bring carbon emissions down to an absolute minimum, whilst looking at factors such as trackside biodiversity, reduced intrusion on communities and their landscapes, air quality, noise and vibration levels

The UK Utility industry is a vast sector that is divided into a variety of specialist industries: oil, gas, petroleum, coal, nuclear power renewable energy and the waste management and water industries Some of these sub-divisions are comparatively large, such as the oil, gas and water sectors, whilst others such as the coal industry are relatively small

No matter whether you call it the ‘liquidity crisis’, the ‘credit squeeze’, or the ‘credit crunch’ it all comes down to the same thing The economic growth of the UK is slowing dramatically and there are growing fears of a recession

Within this time of economic instability the utilities industry is being hit alongside all other sectors But how much of an effect is the credit crunch really having on the sector and the people who work within it

In 2006 it was estimated that 7% of the UK’s workforce were present in the construction industry 2

It is a strange fact that as oil prices soar the number of jobs within the oil industry, especially in ‘upstream’ exploration and production, actually increases As oil becomes more expensive more and more is needed to reduce the price

With new regeneration and Government housing targets, the construction industry is facing the toughest challenges yet With new projects in commercial and residential developments, growing pressures for sustainable and low impact development and the need for low cost housing, better and faster results are being expected from everyone involved in the construction industry from planners to those on site every day

The rail industry is a greener alternative for travel than any other method at the moment, and as a result is beginning to see an increase in investment and public interest With the Government and business regulators placing such a huge emphasis on offsetting personal and private carbon emissions it is perhaps unsurprising that this industry is expanding its work force