Improving Training and Competency in the Petroleum and Natural Gas Industry
One of the biggest challenges the Petroleum & Natural Gas Industry is facing is related to education, training and competencies. Our industry has undergone major cost reductions which includes the reduction of a large percentage of our skilled workforce. Prior to the oil and gas slump, our industry was already faced with a concern around qualification and competencies, due to an aging work force. This problem has now escalated from a concern to an industry crisis. As the industry begins its road to recovery and normalization, the challenge is surfacing from a concern to a reality. As a result, Wollam Groups has worked with more than hundred companies comprised of operators, service providers and drilling contractors around the globe to include the non-profit organizations that support our industry. Wollam Groups and our clients, representing all segments of the Industry, have partnered with the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) to help resolve these challenges the industry is expected to face over the next decade.
IACET is the global leader when it comes to accreditation and Continuing Education Units (CEUs), and are accredited by American National Standards Institute (ANSI). IACET’s mission is to advance the global workforce by providing the standard framework for quality learning and development through accreditation. IACET’s history includes the development of the original CEUs) and creation and maintenance of the ANSI/IACET Standard for Continuing Education and Training. IACET uses the ANSI/IACET Standard, in-depth research on the learning process and a nationwide network of experts to help continuing education and training providers to develop a framework for continuous improvement and a superior learning experience.
Wollam Groups specializes in working with organizations to advance education, training and competencies. We are members of the industry boards and committees responsible to oversee Industry standards and specialize in programs, qualifications and competency for trainers and educators.
In July 2016, Wollam Groups facilitated the IACET- PNG (Petroleum & Natural Gas) Advisory Board Exploratory Meeting with industry leaders. The purpose of this Advisory Board is to provide enforceable standards for education and training offered in the petroleum and natural gas industry. In addition, a major goal to help the industry with the challenges regarding qualifications and more importantly, competencies of third party providers. The new IACT-PNG Advisory Board operates within IACET and consists of subcommittees representing upstream, midstream, downstream and manufacturing. The exploratory meeting resulted in a unanimous vote to move forward and establish the IACET-PNG Advisory Board and its subcommittees.
Our mission is to positively influence our industry by engaging in the pursuit of excellence through the creation, preservation, transfer and application of knowledge. IACET-PNG Advisory Board helps shape the future by bringing together and developing leaders in their fields to inspire the next generation and to advance ideas that benefit the Industry.
About the Author
Bryan Wollam is the founder and CEO of Wollam Groups, LLC and affiliate companies (Wollam Petroleum Advisory Group, LLC (WPAG) and Wollam Auditing Services, LLC). He has three college degrees and holds industry recognized certifications in the areas of quality, occupational health and safety, environmental, reliability and business management. His education and credentials are backed by more than 25 years of industry and management experience. He obtained his business management degree from the University of Phoenix and takes a holistic business approach when implementing management systems. He has served in executive level positions for Halliburton, Weatherford, and Kellogg Brown & Root within the oil and gas industry. In addition, he has consulted and served the automotive, aerospace, department of defense, American Petroleum Institute (API), Center for Offshore Safety (COS) and a number of US government agencies. He has worked closely with API on the development of the latest API Q1 and Q2 standards. He is known as an industry expert on API Q2 and developed the technical content for the industry’s API Q2 training program for upstream service supply organizations. He is a distinguished and sought after speaker, effective communicator and trusted advisor to all segments of the petroleum, oil and gas industry