During a virtual meeting on January 21, Energy Workforce celebrated graduates of its inaugural Inclusion and Diversity Business Champion Program. The 2020 cohort included 52 individuals from 14 companies, and was made possible with the support of program sponsors Accenture, Baker Hughes, Exterran, Heidrick & Struggles, and Preng & Associates.
“In the current environment, inclusion and diversity is growing in importance,” Dave Warnick, VP Global Human Resources, Weir Oil and Gas, said to graduates. “ESG investors are pushing these issues to the forefront in 2021. They want to see progress, which means we need to deliver.”
The I&D Business Champion Program was created to help members by equipping them with the tools and information needed to create meaningful changes, Energy Workforce CEO Leslie Beyer told attendees. Responding to events in 2020, Energy Workforce expanded the program’s curriculum to address racial equality, and reopened registration to provide additional companies the opportunity to participate.
“In 2020, Energy Workforce also established a Racial Equality Task Force and working groups to produce recommendations and action plans for the industry to make progress towards greater equality, inclusion and diversity,” Beyer said during the video meeting.
This year, Energy Workforce is renewing its groundbreaking study of diversity in the OFS sector to determine progress since the 2018 benchmarking survey and develop new recommendations for the sector. The 2021 survey will expand to include race, which will establish a new benchmark and allow for greater consistency in reporting across the sector.
“We all learned a great deal as we built this program, including how we can add value and achieve meaningful change within our organizations,” said Energy Workforce COO Molly Determan.
“It’s important that a program like this provide something tangible — tools and practices that participants can bring back to their organizations and empower them to lead change,” said Keri Macaluso, Business Strategy Senior Manager, Accenture, who played a significant role in the development and facilitation of the program. “I’m honored to work with so many people committed to the mission of improving how we treat people and how our organizations function.”
During her remarks, I&D Engagement Committee Chair Shanta Eaden, Director, Project Management Office, Weatherford, encouraged graduates to remain involved by participating in the 2021 program, which begins in March.
“This year’s program features an improved and expanded curriculum designed to provide members with a world-class grounding in the information need to promote a company culture that values inclusion and diversity,” Eaden said.
Energy Workforce is partnering with Envision Group to deliver the program in 2021. The program will continue to feature interactive webinars that enable participants to interact with mentors, coaches, executive sponsors and peers. After beginning 2020 with an in-person session, PESA took the program online due to the pandemic and developed innovative virtual formats that will remain a staple of the program in the future.
Eaden also urged companies to participate in Energy Workforce’s renewed diversity study. To be included in the study or to get involved with Energy Workforce’s inclusion and diversity initiatives, please contact COO Molly Determan.
Register now for the 2021 Inclusion & Diversity Business Champion Program.
