Updated: Fri Oct. 24 2008 18:41:51

ctvcalgary.ca

Some oil and gas companies held a competition at SAIT Polytechnic on Friday to challenge visiting high school students.

The students used a computer program that simulates oil and gas exploration to seek out reserves and the most successful student is the winner.

Even though these are tumultuous times in the industry, companies are still holding events like this because they expect the energy sector to be viable for a long time to come.

Experts say that even if the market slowdown causes some projects to be delayed, they will likely be back on line in a few years, at about the same time as the high school students would be graduating.

"We're still seeing a pretty healthy demand by recruiters right now for new grads, I think there is a bit of short term concern, how deep the recession might be but if you have to go into another occupation what would you pick because everything is going downwards and I actually think the petroleum industry wont' have as low a low but will probably rebound quicker than most of the other industries," said Glenn Macintyre from SAIT Polytechnic.

Student competitions using this computer simulation are very common in Europe, but this is the first time it's being used in North America.

SAIT plans to hold more competitions over the next few years.