OILFIELD BUSINESS: INNOVATION
GROWING
Your Employees for the
Long Term
BY:
RON E.
Zimmerman, Jr.
The development and delivery of technology-leveraged training is fundamental to the
growth and retention of a skilled workforce. The slow economic recovery, disappearing jobs, and a far-reaching demographic shift are affecting business sectors in United
States that rely upon skilled workers. The central component of this situation is the
shrinking skilled workforce. The shortage of capable workers is driving businesses—
small and large—to focus training efforts on retaining their existing workforce. To do
that, managers are evaluating their workplace environments and developing training
and education strategies to meet the needs of their generationally diverse workforce.
In all, a skilled workforce is essential to safe, productive, and sustainable construction
and sustainment activities required in the oil production industry.
Strategic Context
Generations
Birthdate
Characteristics
Percent of
Labor Force
(2016)
1925 - 1945
• Patriotic – loyalty
• Waste not- want not
• Top-Down Approach
7.6%
Baby Boomers
1946 - 1960
• Idealistic
• Competitive
• Question Authority
27.2%
Gen Xers
1961 - 1980
• Resourceful
• Self-Reliant
• Highly Adaptive to Technology
33.2%
1981 - 2000
• Globally concerned
• Realistic
• Cyber-Savvy
32.0%
Traditionalists
Millennial (Gen Y)
Millennial (Gen Z)
• Connected to Communications
2000 - After • Thrive on small bits of information
• Instant Gratification
Table 1. Trends in the U.S. Labor Force
N/A
Managers began reacting
to generational disparities
several years ago, as the Traditionalist generation started leaving the workforce and
Millennials took their place alongside Generation Xers and Baby Boomers. This new
mix poses challenges given the enormous generational differences in work ethics,
attitudes, outlooks, and learning behaviors across these groups (as seen in Table 1).
Millennials (both Y and Z) are one of the more socially conscious generations and
view work as a personal event involving opportunities to make new friends, learn
new skills, and connect to a larger purpose. They tend to leverage collaboration tools
and are intolerant of environments stuck on fixed-site or brick and mortar work and
learning environments. Managers must consider the training needs for each genera24