Change Agent for Oil and Gas Industry Learning Programs

Two forces are converging to compel the oil and gas industry to integrate learning technologies in their training enterprises.

The oil and gas industry remains an inherently dangerous, challenging workplace. Legacy-era training strategies need to be updated to improve safety and work-force well-being.

In one case, the US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration focused on one industry segment, oil and gas extraction, and presented 10 safety hazards associated with this community. While the OSHA overview noted in general, “Recognizing and controlling hazards is critical to preventing injuries and deaths,” it specifically noted that for one category, “Three of every five on-site fatalities in the oil and gas extraction industry are the result of struck-by/caught -in/caught-between hazards [being defined as moving vehicles or equipment, falling equipment, and high-pressure lines.]

And much as Halldale Group sees in civil aviation and other adjacent high-risk industries, the oil and gas industry’s workforce is undergoing a bow wave of change.

The demand for new accessions in the overarching, global energy industry is expected to remain strong well past this decade. SCT followers are aware of projected uptick in demand in one “green” industry driving the requirement for new learning strategies. Concurrently, and a bit ironic to some observers, the oil industry is also in a boom cycle in many venues, including the US, adding the imperative to recruit, train and retain even more individuals. While demand for energy workforce talent is growing, the oil and gas sector will lose a substantial portion of its existing workforce. In the US alone, as many as 400,000 employees are approaching retirement and may exit the workforce in the next 10 years. So, yes, bring on Gen Z and other younger prospective employees, knowing they are technology savvy and learn differently from current workforce members, and there will be the urgent requirement to develop appropriate instructional strategies.

Raising the Learning Bar

This author has watched HTX Labs’ (HTX) portfolio expand in defense and adjacent high-risk training sectors. So, it was no surprise when Dre Fournier, Vice President of Growth at the company, discussed his team’s presence in this market. The corporate executive recalled oil and gas, and heavy industry were some of HTX’s initial customers as its leadership had a significant past in the industry. “We believe that in the oil and gas industry, where high-risk environments and hazardous materials are the norm, the consequences of errors can be catastrophic. XR offers risk-free training environments that replicate actual work conditions.” Fournier noted XR allows oil and gas industry workers the chance to: identify hazardous material; conduct unloading training; complete focused safety training (i.e., fall protection, work in confined spaces, work on scaffolding, complete lock out tag out procedures and others) without the dangers associated with on-the-job training. “By using XR, companies can ensure that their employees are better prepared, reducing the likelihood of accidents and improving overall safety,” he emphasized.

Digital Twin, Data, EMPACT and More

The executive highlighted two technology underpinnings used in HTX’s training programs for this sector: the ability to create digital twins and integrate real-time data to enhance the realism and effectiveness of the training. These tools ensure that workers are not only familiar with the equipment but also understand the dynamic nature of their operating environments. “With digital twins we are creating digital representations of offshore rigs, facilities, equipment and other materiel to provide a safe, scalable and cost-effective way to train. This also allows us to appeal to the new and incoming workforce.”

While non-disclosure agreements precluded Fournier from extensively discussing his company’s specific activities, he did note HTX has worked with many different types of companies within the oil and gas industry. The HTX EMPACT VR-software platform has been the foundation for the sustainment of these companies’ training solutions.

Your Feedback Please

This is the first in a series of occasional articles focusing on the training transformation for the oil and gas industry’s workforce. Community subject matter experts may reach out to me at marty.kauchak@halldale.com to share their current and planned programs to elevate oil and gas industry learning programs to higher levels.