Implementing a global capability development structure for an international organisation

Our client, one of the world's leading international oil and gas companies, aspired to its new recruits to receive a broad introduction to the global energy industry early in their careers. Their existing programme for developing new recruits was fragmented and required updating. As our client could not identify an established course meeting these objectives, it contacted Gas Strategies to build a workable development programme customised to their needs.

We designed a structured learning framework for our client to use globally, which matched job responsibilities to required competences.

Execution

The first step of implementation took place via a training programme designed to enable new recruits to understand why the industry operates as it does at both global and national levels.
It provided:

• A broad understanding of the production and uses of different sources of energy,

• An appreciation of how the commerce of different fuels is conducted and how energy, in the form of different fuels, is valued and prices set.

The course provided a basic appreciation of the major choices for investment in access for exploration, development, production, transport, storage and processing of fuels and the risks to be considered in making such investment decisions.

Delivery

The programme was delivered in a dynamic style through:

• Formal presentations interspersed with discussions, team exercises based on interpretation of data and simple calculations addressing decision-making in the chain.

• A longer role play exercise in teams running through the course, encouraging participants to apply the knowledge being gained to deal with the dilemmas faced in the energy industry.

• Recapitulation sessions were conducted in which the new recruits would reflect on the key learning points, helping to consolidate their learning.

Gas Strategies’ People Development Manager then carefully reviewed the programme’s feedback from participants jointly with the client, as a basis for evaluation and continuous improvement for delivery.

Client benefits

The global energy industry programme is now fully established globally and is delivered four times annually in different locations. It receives consistently high ratings from participants who find it useful and enjoyable. Working with us the client has created a training module that is unique and which gives its recruits a fundamental and broad understanding of the energy industry, to successfully start their career in the energy industry.

The Commercial Aspects of LNG

Our client was one of the world's largest LNG producers, facing the challenges of developing their commercial function to match huge recent growth in LNG production. We were asked to develop a training programme for front-line commercial staff aimed at giving them a broad perspective on the LNG industry but also providing more in-depth understanding of LNG sales contracts.

We delivered an on-site concentrated programme for around 20 of the client's staff, combining conventional teaching with relevant exercises. For the LNG contract issues we used one of the client's own contracts as an example and conducted a "walk-through" of the contract facilitated by staff with deep experience of LNG contracting issues.

The programme was successful in providing "accelerated learning" to front-line commercial staff and developing a broader understanding of the LNG contract issues than would be possible with "on the job" training. The programme was also an excellent team-building exercise and helped consolidate a relatively new team.