The oil and gas industry is facing strong competition in attracting science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) talent, with 44% of STEM Millennials and Generation Zs (Gen Z) interested in pursuing a career in oil and gas, compared to 77% in the technology sector, 58% in life sciences and pharmaceuticals, and 57% in healthcare – according to the inaugural global “Workforce of the Future” survey released today by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) at CERAWeek by IHS Markit, the world’s premier energy event.
Key findings include:
- “Salary,” “work-life balance,” “job stability,” “on-the-job fulfillment,” and “a good work environment” are ranked the top five drivers behind potential career choices for STEM Millennials and Gen Zs.
- Young STEM talent also associates the oil and gas industry with high salaries and see it as an industry that is invaluable. “The industry pays well,” “the industry is crucial for their country’s economy and development,” and it is “an industry we couldn’t live without,” are ranked as the top three positive attributes about the industry.
- STEM Millennials and Gen Zs show the most interest in industries that they believe will be most impacted by new technologies. Globally, 42% say that new technologies will have a major impact on the oil and gas industry, while 56% say the same for healthcare, 53% for life sciences and pharmaceuticals, and 73% for the technology industry.
H.E. Dr. Al Jaber added: “Oil and gas has always been – and will continue to be – an industry of the future that is at the forefront of technology and innovation.” concluded H.E. Dr. Al Jaber.
Source of studies
Millennials are much more technologically savvy than previous generations, and Centennials (those born after the mid-1990s) are even more so. – forbes
Millennials and Centennials want interesting and challenging problems to solve. I have personally witnessed this as my students become very interested in the oil and gas sector when they begin to understand the complexity of the space and realize how vital the sector is to the global economic activity and well-being. – forbes
A plus For Millennials going into oil and gas industry
- Millennials change with the times. Millennials adapt easily to change and new ideas, whereas most boomers are slower to adapt as the world, and the markets, evolve. “What worked in the past may not work in the future, and the markets we are in right now are not the markets of the 80s and 90s,” Notchick says. On the other hand, boomers do have the advantage of experience, right or wrong, and one thing their experience has taught them is that it’s always important to keep learning. – INC
- The oilfield has Booms and Busts cycles – Millennials expect to be fired or let go regularly, so they want work that is directly in line with their own career equity, which are the skills and experiences that help them improve their career prospects. They know their time is limited, so they don’t invest in doing things outside their own path. Boomers, however, are used to working hard for a company in exchange for long-term investment in skills development and for security, like a retirement fund or pension. – forbes
But are Millennials lazy?
Millennials are frequently labeled the “Me” Generation due to their apparent laziness, entitlement, and selfishness by Mostly by ‘Everyone”. But age might be affecting the memories of those folks, as they seem to have forgotten that they were given the same label way back in the 70s by their parents. In fact, pretty much every post-boomer generation has been dubbed the “Me” Generation at some point.