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Brymer,fol owedbya thoroughinsightinto thechal engesof leadershipfrom academia ndindustry experts.
Tuesday February 26 2013 | the times
Power of Scotland
We need to change the conversation with those we want to attract and the way we tell our story
Itisagreatop o rtunitytolearn fromthesharedinsightsofpeople enjoyingsuc es fulcare rsandhow toensurethatnomat erthe geographicalorculturalset ing,you wil alwaysbealeader.
ties, and lifestyle they have as a result. “What we talk about among ourselves is much more real: The pioneering spirit to explore, adventure in some of the world’s most beautiful and demanding places, innovation at the forefront of science, courage and strength in managing high risk and a relentless energy to learn from our mistakes. This reality is very different from the story outside. We need to change the conversation with those we want to attract, and in particular, the way we tell our story.” To tell that story, Boorman believes the industry needs to pull together more, in order to work more successfully from the classroom up, and the funding agencies down. “The oil and gas industry is an equal opportunities employer that recognises and rewards talent, it’s not about whether you are male or female, it’s about what you bring to the table. Securing skills is a source of competitive advantage for businesses and for individual companies, the resource and capability vested by many in sourcing and developing that talent is outstanding. However, by hav-
The reasons behind the under-representation of women in STEM disciplines is complex, one being the lack of female role models
The leadership journey: Unleashing the potential of your career Wednesday 6th March 2013
AECC Claymore Drive, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen AB23 8BL £50.00 plus VAT per person
The second in SPE’s ‘Another Perspective’ career development series, this seminar is set to address some of the key challenges for women and men to become efficient and effective leaders in organisations where the workforce is composed of people from different backgrounds (social, cultural, political and educational).
A panel of high achieving leaders will be interviewed by STV presenter Andrea Brymer, followed by a thorough insight into the challenges of leadership from academia and industry experts.
BO KYOURSEMINARPLACENOW:
The seminar is open to everyone at any career stage, no matter the industy energy, oil and gas or other sectors.
It is a great oppoortunity to learn from the shared insights of people enjoying successful careers and how to ensure that no matter the geographical or cultural setting, you will always be a leader.
BOOK YOUR SEMINAR PLACE NOW:
www.rodgerandco.com www.spe-uk.org
Maria Trujillo Vergara points to ‘gender politics’
ing a more collaborative approach across industry we can achieve higher quality skills at entry, economies of scale and a better balance between the number of skilled people available and the numbers required. We can provide a better pool for organisations to compete for and an increase in quality. To do this, we need to take our collective presence and engage in a different dialogue with academia and government, most importantly the skills funding agencies. OPITO is currently undertaking much of this on industry’s behalf, but we have to speak with one voice to change public and political perception and start changing the way oil and gas is viewed.” Boorman agrees the reasons behind the underrepresentation of women in STEM disciplines are complex, with a number of factors influencing the choices women make when it comes to their careers. “One of the issues is there are very few role models for young women interested in these types of careers, so seeing how the subject choices they make at school can translate into careers isn’t always clear,” she says. “Similarly, girls aren’t always actively encouraged to choose science and maths subjects at school or to take part in extra-curricular activities such as science fairs and engineering competitions in the same way boys are. Turning this stereotype on its head is something which has to start in the classroom at an early age. Studies have shown when they start secondary school, just as many girls as boys have positive attitudes toward science subjects. From there however, this interest wanes with girls ultimately opting out of STEMrelated classes and careers. By working with partners in education, academia and industry, OPITO continues to establish sustainable relationships that focus on enhancing and enriching the curriculum. We aim to showcase the application of academic subjects and the people who use them in their jobs through a raft of
career events and hands-on activities and have engaged with upwards of 750,000 young people to date.” Of course, ambitious young women need to see role models, not only in their career sector of choice, but influencing policy and making decisions throughout society. Maria Trujillo Vergara, reservoir engineer with Conoco Phillips, believes the problems of women’s under-representation in her industry have to be seen in a wider context. It’s an issue of gender politics. “Policy makers, and energy institutions in the public and private sector, all tend to be male dominated,” she says. “Similarly, the large-scale industries and agriculture are dominated by men in senior positions. Although many economists and engineers would accept welfare and efficiency approaches to meeting women’s energy needs, they don’t usually see the relevance of gender to their work. They believe that equality of sexes is a matter of local culture and political concern. This situation is not only limited to the energy sector, it can be noticed that women are also under-represented in the political sector at a local and international level. In countries such as Zambia, South Africa, Uganda and Botswana, where women have held posts as minister of energy, gender issues tend to play a more important role in energy policy formulation and implementation.” Trijuillo, chair of the Society of Petroleum Engineers’ sub-committee Another Perspective, not only wants to see more women encouraged to study degrees in science and engineering, she also wants to see them aiming high - right to the top. Another Perspective are holding a seminar ‘The leadership journey - Unleashing the potential of your career’ at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre on March 6. “When women have the right resources,” she add, “they can show their potential, and achieve great roles on the career ladder, becoming efficient and inspirational leaders inside the energy sector.”