4 October 2011 - Aker Solutions today opens up the application period for its prestigious two-year International Talent Programme. This year the talents will be selected from Brazil, Malaysia, Norway, USA and - for the first time - the UK.

The programme is an intensive two-year on-the-job learning experience, consisting of three eight-month assignments, covering different roles, businesses and locations within Aker Solutions' global network of offices and technology and manufacturing centres.

This round's intake of some of the oil and gas industry's brightest young talents is the fifth since 2006. The previous intake, in 2010, attracted almost 1000 applicants, of which nine candidates were invited to join the programme. Five were recruited from Brazil, two from Malaysia and two from the US.

"The ultimate aim of the International Talent Programme is to prepare talents for future management positions in Aker Solutions," says Sissel Lindland, chief HR officer in Aker Solutions. "The programme offers an excellent first step on the career ladder. We use it to expose the candidates to broaden both their cultural and professional horizons, which are vital qualifications in a large international company like ours".

All candidates who have graduated from the International Talent Programme have been offered - and accepted - positions within Aker Solutions. Many have taken on management positions in the regions they have been recruited from, taking part of Aker Solutions' growth globally.

"The quality of candidates that get accepted onto the programme is exceptionally high. However, I would like to encourage everyone who fulfils the entry requirements to apply as we are looking for several different individuals and personal qualities. In total we expect to select between 10 and 15 candidates from the five countries - Brazil, Malaysia, Norway, USA and UK - we are recruiting from this year," adds Lindland.

In addition to the three eight-month assignments, candidates will regularly attend workshops around the world where participants on the programme are brought together to discuss progress and share experiences. Each talent will also be teamed up with a personal mentor who has extensive experience and coaching abilities, and will follow the talent throughout the programme to facilitate personal and professional development.

"A typical candidate for the programme has recently graduated with a business degree at master level, preferably with an additional engineering degree. The person is proactive and analytical, and has a strong ability to build trusted relationships. Being a global programme, international exposure is important as well as fluency in English," concludes Lindland.

The applications period for the fifth International Talent Programme opens today. Application deadline is 13 November.  Further details can be found on www.akersolutions.com

ENDS

For further information, please contact:

Media:

endre.johansen@akersolutions.com

Investor relations:

Suppliers:

For further information about sourcing and potential subcontracts for this project, please visit www.akersolutions.com/suppliers

Career opportunities:

Visit http://www.akersolutions.com/careers

Aker Solutions ASA, through its subsidiaries and affiliates ("Aker Solutions"), is a leading global oil services company that provides engineering services, technologies, product solutions and field-life solutions for the oil and gas industry. The Aker Solutions group is organised in a number of separate legal entities. Aker Solutions is used as the common brand/trademark for most of these entities.

Aker Solutions' parent company is Aker Solutions ASA.  Aker Solutions has aggregated annual revenues of approximately NOK 35 billion and employs approximately 17 000 people in about 30 countries.

This press release may include forward-looking information or statements and is subject to our disclaimer, see www.akersolutions.com.