OILFIELD BUSINESS: INNOVATION
tion comprised of their workforce. Managers should also recognize the education gap in their younger generation workforce who struggle with the ability to reason, analyze, weigh evidence and problem solve in the same
manner as their predecessors. In his book, The Global Achievement Gap, Mr. Tony Wagner discusses how
these struggles combined with a reduction in technical skills increases job frustration for these paraprofessionals.
Knowing and understanding the gaps produced by generational and education differences enable managers
and instructional designers to identify the content of new training programs. Younger employees may need
more problem-solving training, while Gen Xers may require more leadership training, and the Baby Boomers
may require additional training in their areas of expertise or in the integration of new technologies.
While generational thinking has made a gradual shift, technology has evolved rapidly. The combination of
generational thinking and technology has led training and education to shift from a passive teacher-centered
approach to an interactive and collaborative approach. Traditional instructor centric learning strategies no
longer fit the current learning environment in