Energy Workforce President Molly Determan recently presented at HART Energy’s Executive Oil Conference, delivering remarks on recruiting new talent into the industry despite the ever-changing environment. Throughout her speech, Molly addressed the continued concerns regarding sufficient talent availability in the Permian and the U.S. oil and gas sector and various strategies for attracting the next generation into the workforce.
In her address, she highlighted the current state of the oil and gas industry workforce, emphasizing the need to build the workforce of the future, beginning with working to change the perception of the industry. Highlighting our industry’s public relations battle and the need to change the public’s perception, she emphasized the importance of bold leadership, comprehensive action, and creating an empowering environment to change hearts and minds.
“The reality is we are the ones leading the charge to the lower carbon future, producing energy more efficiently every single day. So how do we go about changing hearts and minds about our industry?”
To prepare the workforce of tomorrow, Determan discussed the changing demographics of the workforce, focusing specifically on Millennials and Gen Z, who will, by 2025, comprise the majority of the workforce, and the need to shape the industry’s messaging to fit their wants and needs for an engaged workforce. She said that our industry offers exactly what those generations are looking for, providing opportunities to grow quickly.
“This industry opens doors like no other industry.”
President Determan stressed the importance of recognizing the shifting priorities of the workforce, particularly the younger generation’s emphasis on values such as climate, flexible work and career progression transparency. She also addressed the need to change the public’s perception of the industry and emphasized the significance of reskilling, flexible career paths, and leadership and cultural shifts, and how member companies are working together to achieve change more quickly by sharing best practices.
Determan’s remarks underscored Energy Workforce’s commitment to attracting, retaining, and preparing the workforce for the future. She emphasized optimism about the industry’s prospects, building on our long foundation and legacy of exceptionalism.
Karina Erickson, Communications Director, writes about the Energy Workforce & Technology Council. Click here to subscribe the Energy Workforce newsletter, which highlights industry practices, workforce development, events and more.
