Essential Skills

Background

Upstream petroleum companies can have a tough time finding the right kind of applicants - ones who are familiar with the industry and have the right level of skills or experience to do the job.

While some applicants lack the basic level of essential skills needed by employers - which go beyond basic skills such as reading, writing and numeracy - others don't have the necessary mechanical skills.

And to make matters worse, many applicants may not readily share these shortfalls, hindering their chances of getting the help they need. It's clear employers in the upstream petroleum industry need to increase awareness of Essential Skills and address this growing issue.

That's why the Petroleum HR Council is introducing a program that does just that - the Essential Skills program.

 

About the Essential Skills Program

The Essential Skills program aims to identify Essential Skills gaps in the upstream petroleum industry and find out what kind of interventions are required. It will also increase awareness of these Essential Skills and develop and promote an Employer Toolkit to address essential skills as they relate to workplace safety, attraction and workforce development.

The Essential Skills program will work in two phases. The first phase, called the Industry Awareness Strategy began in early 2010. During this phase the Council will help raise industry awareness, understanding and interest levels of Essential Skills, what they are, and their impact to companies, especially as they relate to workplace safety, attraction and workforce development.

The second phase, set to begin in the spring of 2011, is called the Industry Employer Toolkit. This toolkit will provide information and tools on Essential Skills, such as available assessment and training providers, as well as any other information that may be useful to employers.

 

Next Steps

The Council is currently in the first phase of this project.

 

Expected Results

The Essential Skills program will increase the awareness and understanding of Essential Skills within the industry. Additionally, the program will create an inventory of the available information, tools, programs and service providers. These resources will provide employers with industry-validated solutions to essential skills issues in their workplaces.