Promoting increased diversity in the oil and gas industry workforce

Abstract

Changes in employment practices in the Australian upstream oil and gas industry are undoubtedly creating a more diverse workplace. Further anticipated skill shortages have caused a shift from dependency on traditional skilled labour supply sources to an increase in under-represented groups, including women and Indigenous Australians. This presentation is focussed on the current situation in relation to recruitment, training and employment within the industry. It outlines the imperatives that are driving the move to consider pro-actively engaging under-represented groups in the oil and gas workforce of the future. The presentation includes: a review of the regional demographics that make a compelling business case for a move towards a more diversified workforce in the industry; coverage of two recent case studies involving companies that have made the decision to move away from conventional recruiting and employment practices; the business benefits that have accrued to these companies as a result of this re-configured workforce development planning model; a focus on the specific strategies employed to engage applicants from the under-represented groups to ensure a successful orientation, induction, recruitment and retention into the industry; and, an outline of the importance of implementing a formal, highly structured and monitored mentoring arrangement to complement this innovative approach.