Summary

This blog emphasizes soft skills training in oil and gas, enhancing communication, leadership, problem-solving, safety, and methods for program effectiveness.

There’s a widespread misperception that oil and gas training programs prioritize technical expertise and industry-specific knowledge above all else, frequently undervaluing soft skills.

Although some companies might overlook this factor, the general tendency is changing. Training in soft skills unique to the oil and gas sector is becoming more and more integrated into the programs of modern oil and gas organizations.

A considerable skills gap is identified by 70% of corporate leaders as existing within their firms, underscoring the increasing demand for both technical and soft skills. Prominent industry players understand that soft skills are essential for career advancement and productive teamwork amongst oil and gas workers.

Table of Contents:

What is Soft Skills Training?

Soft skills development training enhances abilities such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Other essential soft skills include emotional intelligence, a positive attitude, and creativity. Developing these skills in any industry is as crucial as training for technical skills.

Due to the growth of eLearning, the soft skills training market is expected to expand by USD 315.6 million between 2023 and 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 50.98%. This increase emphasizes the necessity for efficient training programs and the growing understanding of the value of soft skills in professional development.

Importance of Soft Skills Training for Oil and Gas Professionals

Effective communication helps prevent accidents in the oil and gas industry. Workers must convey important information clearly, especially in high-pressure situations.

Here are some reasons why soft skills development should be an integral part of oil and gas training programs:

1. Leadership and Team Performance

Leadership soft skills are important to understanding employees’ needs, building valuable relationships, and enhancing team performance.

2. Streamlining Processes and Resolving Issues

Strong collaboration and effective communication streamline processes and resolve issues faster, minimizing errors and delays. For example, during drilling operations, geologists, engineers, and rig crews who can communicate complex data can optimize efficiency.

3. Valuing Employee Development

Investing in soft skills training shows employees that their development is valued, which can improve staff retention. Moreover, developing listening and empathy skills is especially crucial when handling complex client issues.

4. Informed Decision-Making

Operations involving oil and gas can entail complex circumstances that call for well-informed choices. Developing soft skills becomes essential to evaluate scenarios, think through options, and make decisions that put safety and compliance first.

Also Read: Driving Enterprise Growth with Data Analytics as a Service

Essential Soft Skills for Engineers in the Oil and Gas Industry

Here are some essential soft skills for engineers:

  1. Communication: Strong communication skills help prevent misunderstandings, ensure safety, and enhance collaboration.
  2. Teamwork: Engineers must work closely with peers from various disciplines, including geologists and operations staff. Teamwork means working well with others and respecting diverse perspectives and expertise.
  3. Leadership Skills: Effective leadership skills in engineers build a positive work environment and drive performance. Leadership means applying emotional intelligence and the ability to manage conflicts.
  4. Problem-solving and Critical Thinking: Engineers in the oil and gas sector should be well-trained to analyze complex problems. They should be trained to address equipment failures, unexpected geological formations, or market fluctuations.
  5. Emotional Intelligence: Emotional intelligence helps engineers manage their own emotions and empathize with others. High EI means better teamwork, leadership, and communication.
  6. Time Management: Efficient time management helps engineers maintain productivity and meet project deadlines. These professionals must prioritize tasks and manage their workload effectively.

Industry-Specific Soft Skills for Oil and Gas Employee Training

Here are some oil and gas industry-specific soft skills that professionals should be trained on:

1. Learning by Doing

Virtual reality and simulation training programs help professionals deal with realistic scenarios. This allows them to experience the pressure and emotions of real-world situations. It is a hands-on approach that helps them understand and apply soft skills effectively.

2. Safe Practices for Risky Situations

VR simulation soft skills training allows workers to handle complex scenarios and build their confidence to effectively deal with dangers and emergencies.

3. Targeted Training

Oil and gas professionals in different teams should have access to customized versions of soft skills training. For instance, a rig engineer can focus on communication and delegation skills, and a seasoned engineer can work on conflict resolution. This ensures that workers develop the most relevant and necessary skills for their roles.

4. Performance Monitoring and Feedback

Trainers can monitor workers’ performance and provide feedback within the VR environment. Workers can identify their strengths and weaknesses and adjust their approach in future simulations.

How to Enhance Soft Skills Development through Oil and Gas Employee Training Programs?

It is essential to identify skill gaps and determine common soft skills that should be included in oil and gas training programs.

Here are some key steps:

Step 1: Follow Pre-Requisites for Offering Soft Skills Training

This includes analyzing the best ways and training modules for soft skills development among professionals in the oil and gas industry. It includes:

  • Scenarios or Case Studies.
  • Interactive Videos.
  • Social Polls.
  • Assessments.
  • Microlearning with performance support on mobile devices.
  • Training Materials like fact sheets, workbooks, and eLearning modules

Step 2: Determine Advanced Training Methods

Decide on the format and delivery method for your soft skills training. Options include:

  • Face-to-face training is effective for hands-on learning and interactive workshops.
  • eLearning courses offer flexibility and allow oil and gas professionals to learn at their own pace.
  • Virtual Reality offers immersive training experiences by simulating real-world scenarios. This technology is useful for practicing soft skills in high-pressure situations.

Step 3: Choose Appropriate Digital Tools

If you opt for digital soft skills training modules, select an authoring tool that meets your needs for developing soft skills. Consider your experience with eLearning tools, budget, and project complexity.

Step 4: Build Relevant Training Content

Use pre-built templates or create materials from scratch, engaging Subject Matter Experts from your L&D and HR teams. For effective results, use interactive formats like quizzes, branched scenarios, and videos to keep employees engaged.

Step 5: Apply Blended Learning Approaches

Businesses can organize one-on-one coaching sessions using a blended learning approach. This method might introduce a concept, followed by a face-to-face workshop for hands-on practice and VR simulations to reinforce learning.

Best Practices for Soft Skills in Oil & Gas

Here are some best practices for inculcating soft skills in oil & gas professionals:

1. Conduct a Skill-Gap Analysis

Identify the specific soft skills gaps within your organization by conducting a comprehensive skills gap analysis. This involves:

  • Collecting feedback from employees and managers about soft skills, strengths, and weaknesses.
  • Analyzing performance reviews to identify soft skills deficiencies.
  • Observing day-to-day interactions to pinpoint areas needing improvement.

2. Define Key Competencies

Based on the analysis, define the key soft skills competencies required for various roles within the organization.

Common competencies in the oil and gas sector include:

  • Conducting clear and concise information exchange
  • Working effectively in diverse teams
  • Inspiring and guiding teams for achieving organizational goals.
  • Analyzing complex issues and making informed decisions.

3. Designing Soft Skills Training Programs

L&D heads must develop training content according to the unique needs of the oil and gas industry.

Consider incorporating:

  • Real-world examples and case studies relevant to oil and gas operations.
  • Training modules for different roles.
  • Role-playing, simulations, and interactive exercises.
  • A blended learning approach.

4. Continuous Learning and Development

Encourage a culture of continuous learning by providing ongoing training and development opportunities.

This can include:

  • Regularly scheduling courses to update soft skills.
  • Pairing employees with mentors to provide guidance
  • Encouraging peer learning through collaborative projects.

5. Measuring Training Effectiveness

Conduct assessments before and after the training to measure improvements in soft skills. Implement feedback mechanisms to improve the training programs continuously.

This can include:

  • Feedback from participants about their training experience.
  • Focus groups to gather in-depth insights and suggestions for improvement.
  • KPI measurement is related to soft skills.
  • Regularly update the training content and methods to reflect the latest industry trends and best practices.

Also Read: Top 5 Challenges in Enterprise Mobile App Development and How to Overcome Them

To Wrap Up

Soft skills development training is essential for professionals to ensure safety in the oil and gas industry. If L&D leaders consider designing effective training on developing soft skills, it can enhance individual performance and contribute to the overall success of the organization.

Advancing technology, including VR/AR techniques and simulation training practices, offers immersive soft skills training for oil and gas industry professionals.

Partner with Hurix Digital to create a tailored soft skills training program that meets the unique needs of your oil and gas professionals. With our advanced technology and expertise, we can help you build a comprehensive training solution that drives growth, enhances collaboration, and ensures safety in your operations.

Contact us today to elevate your training initiatives and support your team’s growth and success!