--> Disruption in African Geoscientist Talent Management : Don't Miss the "New World" Revolution

2018 AAPG International Conference and Exhibition

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Disruption in African Geoscientist Talent Management : Don't Miss the "New World" Revolution

Abstract

Many Oil and Gas companies in African countries face business difficulties due to barrel price crisis and decreasing exploration research intensity. In parallel, all the companies have entered in the digital revolution. Many national experienced geoscientists are pushed into early retirement. Part of talents recruited in the last 25 years have left or are ready to leave the industry. Students recently graduated in geosciences have difficulties to find a position. With the expected rebound of the market, exploration research reactivation and recent discoveries in Africa, the companies will face a shortage of talented nationals becoming critical to their digital future. National Talent Management in “the Old World” as experienced in the last 12 years in Total Exploration & Production Angola, Congo, Gabon and South Africa (JPD) and as well as a consultant in recruitment for different Oil and Gas Companies (ETV), were based on a bureaucratic job approach. Recruitment, training and follow-ups were very costly for the companies. Talents were just expected to do a job and remain in the same company till retirement. Talent Management in the disrupted “New World” will involve redesigning the way we attract and retain high-value talent. Digital revolution and open organizations in companies introduce a new wave of talent in the market (“the Millennial or Y generation”). Millennials are ‘digital natives’ and at ease with technology. They are agile, value changers, and seek to work for companies which contribute positively to society. What they lack is the expertise and knowledge in geosciences. Placing an ‘expert’ talent in the heart of a small compact team of national millennial talent could help prepare companies address this crucial shortage or disruption. Small teams, which together learn all domains of geosciences, create agility, foster innovation, develop a strong culture and retain top talent. Talent Management has to now to be culture driven, agile, skills-based and performance focused. To attract and retain new talent, companies need to evolve and to break away from the bureaucratic way of approaching talent management. Geosciences (geology, geophysics, reservoir engineering) are the heart of Exploration and Production companies, therefore attracting and retaining high value talents, is essential for success in an innovative and digital world.