The past year has highlighted a significant change in landscape for the industry, but there is still hope, UK chairman and managing partner of Ernst and Young (EY), Steve Varley told yesterday’s SPE Offshore Europe breakfast session.
“Where there is hope, there are opportunities for the ambitious minds,” Varley told the event, hosted by Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce. “The workforce of today and the talent of tomorrow are two different groups, as they don’t act or think like we do. Spend a bit of time with them [the talent of tomorrow] and we know they communicate and socialize differently. All the social media influence has made this generation in closer and constant contact than any other generation in history.”
Varley said the next generation is a very team-oriented and collaborative bunch, keen on career development. “We must acknowledge the talents they have already. In preparation for this speech I pulled together a dozen of our interns and asked their thoughts of the oil and gas industry,” he said. “They said the oil and gas sector can be lucrative and interesting and they are keen in onshore supply chain for it will be challenging due to the technical nature.
“These students felt the oil and gas is a fast changing and complex market. So particular elements of problem solving and communication skills will appeal to their peers. The key to successful collaboration amongst management and various levels is to learn from this next generation and that is my humble opinion,” Varley added.
Focusing on achieving efficiencies through collaboration can help ensure long-term sustainability in the industry said Statoil’s executive vice president for development and production international, Lars Christian Bacher.
“The two challenges today are capital and carbon intensity. If not managed properly the industry could be at risk. Therefore, collaboration is key to long-term sustainability. Some argue that we are getting to the end of oil age, but I agree we are in a demanding period,” Bacher said.
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