Adapting HR Strategies for the Oil and Gas Transformation

The worldwide transition to sustainable energy sources is fundamentally reshaping industries across the globe. WTS Energy highlights the pivotal role of workers in sectors like oil and gas in guiding this energy shift with their expertise and capabilities. However, challenges persist, encompassing talent retraining and re-skilling, cultural adaptation, and the incorporation of emerging technologies.

“It is necessary that the oil and gas industry’s workforce understands that the market demands are envolving. Employees now need a deeper understanding of the industry, technical training on energy certifications due to international standards, and an innovative mindset”. WTS Energy provides specialized training programs so that our clients comply with recent national and  international standards,” said Jose Arcos, regional business development manager Americas of WTS Energy.

In the oil and gas industry, workers possess expertise in fossil fuel exploration, production, refining, and distribution, however there is a pressing need to adapt and enhance their skills to meet today's evolving demands. WTS, an international agency that provides specialized engineering, recruitment, and HR services, is confident in the industry's ability to meet these new requirements, as it maintains a strong commitment to research and development initiatives for new renewable energy generation, storage and distribution technologies. Additionally, its focus on risk management and safety ensures the successful deployment of new technologies and facilitates the transition to sustainable energy sources.

Still, employees in the oil & gas sector face substantial gaps that must be addressed to facilitate the global energy transition. WTS underscores the necessity for workers to acquire new skills in renewable energy, energy storage, and smart grid management on a larger scale. A cultural shift is also crucial, as the industry historically focusses on fossil fuels. Embracing sustainability demands a substantial change in mindset toward renewable energy. Additionally, adapting existing infrastructure to accommodate renewable energy sources presents logistical and technical hurdles that the workforce must tackle proactively. WTS emphasized that addressing these challenges necessitates collaboration among governments, companies, and workers.

“To address these challenges, companies in Mexico’s energy and oil industries must develop robust human resource management strategies encompassing specialized talent recruitment and retention, skill development, occupational safety, regulatory compliance and adaptation to technological and environmental changes. Collaboration between human resources and operations teams is essential to overcome these challenges and ensure long-term success,” said Carlos Salazar, HR operations manager of WTS Energy.

WTS Energy emphasized that re-skilling workers could uncover numerous untapped opportunities for Mexican talent. “The change has been significant. We have noticed a substantial increase in education, language and IT skill levels. The Mexican talent pool is becoming more attractive worldwide. In Europe, for instance, there is a scarcity of personnel, especially technical personnel. We have seen many cases where Mexican talent has been transferred to Europe to fill this gap, and with excellent results. We expect that this trend will continue,” said Lennart Rietveld, regional director of the Americas for WTS Energy.

Throughout this human capital transition in the oil and gas industry, WTS is regarded a top ally. With a track record that aligns with market demands, the firm excels in a range of services, from recruitment and personnel management to delivering specialized services, certified under RESPE, in Engineering and HSE services in both onshore and offshore settings. Additionally, WTS specializes in diverse fields such as renewable energy, mining, and construction.

“WTS Energy differentiates itself from other companies by actively engaging in every stage of our projects while understanding the unique needs of the industry. Additionally, our personnel and compliance standards set us apart. We focus on full compliance with for example, governmental platforms such as SISUB and ICSOE, making WTS Energy a preferred supplier for the oil and gas and renewable energy industry,” said Salazar.