The role of skill development, continuing education, and online training for crew members in the energy sector

Knowledge is power, and power is what organizations need to innovate, adapt, and achieve a competitive edge in a highly competitive and evolving market arena. To innovate, adapt, or try a new function or process requires new skills, which, in turn, means new learning and training. 

The energy sector, like all other sectors, is undergoing constant change, with a greater focus on renewables and sustainability. At the global stage, energy companies are shifting from fossil fuel energy production and consumption, such as oil and coal, to natural gas and renewable energy sources like solar and wind. Added to these are the constantly evolving regulations and commitments to decarbonization, and these will continue to gain priority as investors shift focus to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors.

Thus, in this constantly evolving environment, energy companies need new knowledge and skills to survive, gain new perspectives, and take the next leap. It is here that the role of skill development, continuous training, and online training comes to the fore. As said, knowledge is power—the more your employees know, the more they can do and the more they can contribute to organizational growth. It is therefore crucial for oil and gas companies to support continuous learning and training, for if this does not happen, they will stagnate and gradually become irrelevant in the market. 

Viewing the situation from the employee perspective, it is now commonly known that in order to retain their talent, oil and gas companies need to fulfil their career growth and professional aspirations. Several studies have shown that employees prefer upskilling opportunities more than any other type of incentive. They need learning that is flexible, on demand, and continuous in order to fulfil their career goals and contribute to the organization with cutting-edge performance. 

In this article, we look at the role of skill development and online training in sustaining the energy sector.

Ensure continuous growth 

For most employees, their jobs are a means to an end. With that said, boredom and apathy can seep in, bringing down performance and motivating your workforce to explore other green pastures. This is also usually the case when the job doesn’t challenge them enough or they feel insecure about their constantly evolving knowledge and skills, which may make them irrelevant in the long run. By investing in ongoing training and continuous learning, you can fulfil the growth needs of both the workforce and your organization. Secondly, you can equip your existing talent with new responsibilities, allowing them to upgrade their job titles. Thirdly, you don’t have to pay to hire or train replacements, more so in times of shortages of talent and skills.

Identify emerging gaps

Demotivated employees are a sure sign of turnover. In times of a talent crunch, the last thing you need is for your employees to leave because they have plateaued within the organization. It is here where the role of skill development comes in. Before undertaking skill development programmes, it is important to first identify the skill gaps within the organization. Accordingly, you can set up relevant training programs. One way is to provide e-learning opportunities that allow your employees to learn at their own pace without having to compromise with their job responsibilities. Also, with online training, no one feels singled out as all employees undergo the same training path, allowing them to customize the learning experience to their needs. Ongoing training programmes also include self-assessment, allowing employees to identify their own pain points and plug the skill gaps.

Ensure relevance in the market

As said above, knowledge and skills are constantly evolving with evolving technologies. In the energy sector, there is a greater focus on renewables and the transition to green energy in light of rising climate concerns and the need to reduce carbon footprints. In the face of the constantly changing business environment and new compliances and regulations, companies need to invest in continuous skill development and online training to remain relevant in the market. 

Also Read: Challenges, Opportunities, and Solutions in Oil and Gas Exploration and Production

Conclusion

The energy sector is continuously changing, and coupled with this, technologies too are constantly evolving. Talent crunch is a reality necessitating oil and gas companies to invest in ongoing training of their workforce to ensure that they are aligned to the current needs of the market and consumers and that they are well-equipped with knowledge and skills to innovate and provide cutting-edge performance. 

It is here that GET Global Group can help. We provide high-quality continuous training programmes to the oil and gas industry. Aligned to the needs of the workforce and organisations, we offer classroom training, e-learning opportunities, blended training programmes combining both offline and online training, and instructor-led ograms. Our courses cover the entire range, from beginners to executives, to train them for leadership roles. 

Click here to learn more about our training and skill development programmes.