SPE hosts event on workplace discrimination in oil & gas industry

The Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) will host what they call a world-first event in October to discuss the topic of workplace discriminatory challenges, specific to the oil and gas industry.

SPE hosts event on workplace discrimination in oil & gas industry
Anthony Onukwu, SPE Aberdeen Chairman

The “Breaking the Cycle of Discrimination—Workplace Challenges in the Oil and Gas Industry” premier international workshop will feature a keynote address by Minister for Energy Fergus Ewing MSP followed by speakers from a number of major operating companies, service companies and industry bodies including Shell, ConocoPhillips, Total, Schlumberger, Halliburton, Baker Hughes, Decom North Sea and Oil & Gas UK.

The event will take place at Norwood Hall Hotel in Aberdeen on 1-2 October.

The presentations will discuss critical diversity and discrimination issues and highlight how non-technical skills are of equal importance to those of the technical job functions.

The 2-day workshop, which will take place 1-2 October, is set to attract around 150 managers from the international E&P sector. These professionals will come together to exchange ideas and discuss how the industry can develop into a more inclusive workplace.

Anthony Onukwu, SPE Aberdeen Chairman, said: “SPE Aberdeen is spearheading this initiative because for many years we have recognised the need for a specific forum to focus on the issue of discrimination in the oil and gas industry.

“As the search for energy resources ever increases, this is an industry which now touches every corner of the globe, drawing upon skills across many geographical locations, cultures, religions and genders.

“There is, however, still much progress to be made in terms of addressing these diversities and encouraging an inclusive workforce. For instance, the 2013 Global Diversity and Inclusion Report highlighted that from 3,000 respondents, 72% believe that oil and gas remains a male-dominated industry and that there is still a lot progress to be made.

“This event is indispensable to managers at every level as the challenge to attract, retain, organise, and lead top talent continues, to ensure that the oil and gas industry retains its reputation as a worldwide leader in technological innovation.”

The workshop will address topics such as team dynamics, leadership and relationships and interactions between employers, employees, colleagues and contractors, focusing on how inequalities and prejudice can affect the global working environment.

 

[mappress]
 August 04, 2014