Editor's note: This article first appeared in the 2024 Offshore Business Strategies Special Report, which published within the May/June 2024 issue of Offshore magazine.
By Gavin Taylor, 3t
Recent studies examining the prospective workforce landscape within the offshore oil and gas sector have depicted a disquieting scenario.
Findings from the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) revealed that 49% of the 1,600 early-career workers surveyed actively avoided opportunities within oil and gas. This statistic aligns with prior research highlighting consistent patterns, including 62% of Generation Z individuals who perceive offshore oil and gas careers as unattractive—the highest disinterest level across industries worldwide. Data underscores a notable lack of young talent entering the industry to succeed its aging workforce, with ECITB reporting that merely 12% of the workforce falls below 30 and more than one-third of employees are aged 50-plus.
Amid a global transition between a negative public image and the appeal of renewables, career requirements and attitudes are changing as much as technology. For younger generations entering the energy industry, renewables are grabbing attention and leaving traditional oil and gas with the challenge of navigating a skills shortage.
As the aging workforce rapidly progresses through their careers, it is critical to engage and inspire the next generation now. Without safe passage between generations, current energy security framework faces significant challenges. To avert a talent crisis, the oil and gas industry must attract and cultivate the best talent. Modernizing and prioritizing the industry's approach to training and development can help pave the way for a thriving future.
Understanding your audience is vital to delivering captivating and effective training. Today's emerging workforce is inherently tech-savvy; deeply embedded in the digital era. Communication styles, information-gathering habits and overall worldview, including interactions with the workplace, are deeply intertwined with digital platforms. Considering this digital immersion, traditional and outdated learning approaches that confine participants purely to classrooms lack appeal.
As a result of the learning evolution, the way the younger generation absorbs information and interacts with technology is far beyond learning styles from 25-plus years ago. The industry must consider how to stay current and align with the needs of modern talent if it wants to attract and retain a workforce. The industry must embrace innovative methodologies and craft training experiences that mirror the digital lifestyles of its target audiences.
Simulation and gamification
3t is transforming training in safety-critical industries, equipping tomorrow's workforce with a blend of immersive digital learning and workforce development programs. The company aims to enhance skills and empower individuals through training that fosters connection and active engagement, ensuring the sustained prosperity of industries both today and in the years to come.
Crafting immersive, true-to-life training experiences that blend digital learning with practical skills and training, 3t's approach goes beyond mere instruction. The company immerses participants in safety-critical industries through simulation and gamification, allowing them to go beyond learning and instead live and breathe the environments they'll be working in, all within controlled and risk-free environments.
The integration of gamification into training methodologies is steadily gaining traction. Studies have shown gamification techniques boost learning retention rates by up to 80%. In some cases, clients utilizing bespoke learning and quiz-based platforms have reported a remarkable 74% decrease in safety incidents. 3t has observed a significant shift in demand, with more clients seeking interactive learning solutions. Employers recognize the imperative to attract younger talent, and they understand that the key lies in providing engaging training experiences that demonstrate an investment in the development and well-being of the next generation.
By harnessing AI and AR technologies, gamification enables learners to engage with educational content through familiar elements drawn from dynamic game-based systems. Through simulation and game-based learning, the company allows delegates to practice operations and familiarize them with the correct procedures and processes—all part of an interactive and enjoyable learning journey.
As learning preferences evolve, so too must training strategies. Integrating the requisite technology and infrastructure for blended learning allows the industry to meet the younger generation on familiar terrain, equipping them with the necessary skills, confidence and practical experience to navigate offshore and high-hazard environments safely and competently.
