CONFERENCE AGENDA
Wednesday 15 February 2023
10:00 10:15
Keynote address
Reinventing the workplace and workforce of the future
Digital transformation, a global pandemic and a growing movement in gender equality has led to a mainstream cultural shift in leadership and organisational change, heralding a new era for the traditional workforce and physical workplace across all industries.
Attendee insights
This keynote will highlight the positive changes businesses and industries are implementing globally to create flexible and engaging working environments that attract, empower and inspire the workforce and provide a better-quality work-life balance.
10:15 11:00
Panel discussion
Building a net zero-ready workforce
Whilst globally, addressing climate change has become both a necessity and priority, the energy sector is on its own journey to decarbonise, reduce GHG emissions and reach next zero by 2050. To deliver upon these ambitions requires a workforce that has both legacy skillsets and new digital talents.
At the same time, the industry must address the ‘great resignation’ which has seen record numbers of skilled employees leaving their jobs and the industry since the pandemic began. How are businesses attracting these highly experienced employees back to their companies and the industry?
Attendee insights
A vital discussion that will address efforts to counteract the ‘great resignation’ and pinpoint what the future workforce will look like as the adoption of digitalisation and energy transition efforts accelerate. Panelists will share insights on the latest market trends and how conventional jobs are evolving, and new career paths are emerging to be more harmonised with technology and the environment to support low carbon business models.
11:00 11:45
Panel discussion
Harnessing the power of change management for an agile culture
Change management is paramount to the success and prosperity of businesses, and the energy sector is no exception. The digital revolution, the growing move towards deploying clean energy initiatives and the radical shift to how physical and remote workplaces, continue to come together to unite and create change. Organisations are already undergoing internal transformations to influence effective human resource management, employee performance, collaboration, innovation and above all, profitability.
Attendee insights
This session will highlight the enablers, motivators and barriers to effective change. Executives and leaders will gain insights into the best practices and importance of successful change management across the energy industry.
11:45 12:30
Panel discussion
Attracting Millennials and Gen Z into the energy sector
Digital transformation, industry 4.0, the move towards decarbonisation and improving equality across the workforce are all factors driving the need for a steady flow of STEM-educated Millennials and Gen Z digital natives to bring about change. But is the industry attractive enough? And what is the industry doing to become more appealing?
Attendee Insights:
This session will highlight the importance of the industry employee value proposition and its ongoing image rebranding as businesses compete to attract diversity centric, tech savvy and environmentally conscious new recruits.
Salma Al Hajeri
Regional Vice President, East-Med & North Africa, Operations MENA & Russia
Mubadala Energy
12:30 13:30
Lunch Break
13:30 14:15
AWARD CEREMONY
14:15 15:00
Lightning talks and audience Q&A
Focused 10-minute presentations highlighting company strategies to achieve equality within businesses and across the industry
The digital future: closing the skills gap
Automation, analytics, modelling and data science are just some of the many areas the industry is digitalising to increase efficiency and productivity across the oil, gas and energy value chain. Today’s top engineering experts and digital talent are improving productivity, boosting efficiency and delivering enhanced connectivity for remote facilities.How can the oil and gas industry close the digital skills gap in order to navigate the energy transition? What can the industry do to ensure that graduates with the digital skills necessary for a low-carbon future enter the workforce?
Fatema Choudhury, Chief Operating Officer, Magellan X
Managing the unconscious bias in pay and promotion
Unconscious bias in the workplace traditionally affects how women and minority groups are perceived, recognised and financially rewarded. Based on stereotyping, it can affect career progression, recruitment, performance reviews and create unfair working conditions. What steps are businesses and individuals taking to ensure unconscious bias is addressed? How are managers leading and ensuring change and transparency?
Juliette Murray Lamotte, Middle East and North Africa Human Resources Manager, SLB
Creating an equitable, diverse and inclusive culture for a greener future
Organisations are continuously evolving their leadership and business models to ensure untapped potentials are harnessed, particularly in the green economy. Evidence clearly demonstrates that a diverse and inclusive workforce fosters profit and innovation, yet only a tiny proportion of women continue to enter the energy industry despite the vast cohort of STEM graduates, especially when we consider the Arab States region as an example. Increasing diversity in the workforce will have significant benefits for the industry, and society at large, as varied and innovative ideas are key to finding new solutions to address the Climate Crisis. What more can be done to promote equality and diversity as the sector transitions to clean energy?
Susanne Mikhail Eldhagen,Regional Director, UN Women Office for the Arab States
15:00 15:45
Panel discussion
Gender equality and the role of women in the clean energy transition
Women are considered powerful change agents and essential drivers in the clean energy transition conversation. Equality in energy and women empowerment not only accelerates the successful transition and growth of the industry, but also adds to the global efforts to realise the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Attendee Insights:
This session will highlight the significance of equality and empowerment across the industry to deliver upon growth and positively impact upon innovation and competitive business advantage.