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RESEARCH ARTICLE (Non peer reviewed)
Contents Vol 50 (Conference Proceedings)

Promoting increased diversity in the oil and gas industry workforce*

Don Sanders A and Jim Maguire B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Energy Industry Integrated Solutions, 27 Southmead Drive, Landsdale WA 6065. Email: dsanders@eiis.com.au

B Energy Industry Integrated Solutions, 3 Oakmont Turn, Connolly WA 6027. Email: jmaguire@eiis.com.au

The APPEA Journal 50(2) 743-743 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ09107
Published: 2010

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:

  1. a review of the regional demographics that make a compelling business case for a move towards a more diversified workforce in the industry;

  2. coverage of two recent case studies involving companies that have made the decision to move away from conventional recruiting and employment practices;

  3. the business benefits that have accrued to these companies as a result of this re-configured workforce development planning model;

  4. 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,

  5. an outline of the importance of implementing a formal, highly structured and monitored mentoring arrangement to complement this innovative approach.

Keywords: workforce diversity, skills shortage, indigenous employment, training, females, mentor support

Don Sanders (MEd). Don served 12 years as a Director with the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA) with responsibility for Western Australian and Northern Territory operations on all research, education, training and skills development activities. Don has been recognised for his work over nearly three decades in careers education, advising people interested in entering the petroleum industry, and the development of appropriate skill pathways and employment opportunities for Indigenous Australians, females and mature age persons. Don’s expertise is eagerly sought by companies that are intent on creating greater workforce diversity.

Don is a life member of both the Petroleum Club of WA and the WA Career Education Association, and is an associate member of APPEA, Petroleum Exploration Society of Australia (PESA), Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) and the Australian Institute of Energy (AIE).

Jim has been involved in the Australian vocational education and training system for a period of 27 years, the last 5 years as Executive Officer of the advisory council for the oil and gas sector and downstream processing in WA. Jim has provided consultancy support to APPEA as national adviser on skills shortages and workforce planning, is a member of the national network for downstream processing and contributes to policy development on petroleum industry skills requirements, increased diversity in the workplace and career development at both state and national level.

Jim is an accomplished author and researcher and has published case studies for the petroleum industry, as well as several position papers on emerging skills requirements in the oil and gas industry. Jim is currently a member of several industry committees, is a life member of VET network Australia, an associate member of APPEA and a member of the Petroleum Club of WA.

References

APPEA, 2008—A Final Report to the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations: The APPEA National Skills Shortage Strategy Project, December, unpublished.

Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2009—Labour Force Australia, September, ABS 6202.0.

Diversity Council Australia, 2010—Working for the Future: A National Survey of Employees, unpublished.

Husky Energy, 2009—2009 Diversity Plan Report, unpublished.