Women Professionals in the Energy
Sector: How to Weave Science &
Technology in a Matrix of Defined
Cultural & Social Roles
2 November 2008
Abu Dhabi National Exhibition
Centre
Abu Dhabi UAE
More than 60% of the conventional oil and 40% of gas proven reserves are coming from the MENA region. A huge workforce is required to develop and sustain production in these fields to meet the increasing demand for energy globally and in the region. Women constitute half of the human resources and would be a great loss if their skills are not utilized. Fortunately, increasing numbers of young female professionals are joining the oil and gas industry year by year and in particularly in the MENA and South Asia Regions. These include scientists, geo-scientists, all engineering disciplines in addition to the more common professionals in finance, legal and human resources. To date, many who joined the E&P sector as young professionals are already proving to be a great asset to the industry through their technical professionalism and intense dedication to their work. However, is there a better route to accelerate and leverage more of these capabilities? Is there a demonstrated approach for strengthening their position in their profession and enhancing their personal development?
This workshop will try to address this question from many perspectives:
- Empowerment of young women professionals and co-existence in the men’s world of E&P. How to realize and understand that there are differences between females and males conducting their work and by inclusiveness the two would deliver a better outcome.
- Are these professionals being coached and mentored in preparation for an active future in the industry? Can they adapt to the existing cultures of organizations or should the organizations adopt their cultures to accommodate them?
- Can the National Oil companies and their organizations learn to transcend equality to adapt to the needs of women throughout their life phases, especially young mothers in order to retain them for a long future in the industry and is it easy to transfer the learning from international E&P organizations.
- Is there a struggle between a woman’s technical abilities and her management skills? How to steer career moves and achieve success-breaking the artificially-created glass ceiling. What skills do women need to acquire to be successful in the workplace?
- What is the approach to make step changes to an already vibrant and very attractive industry for young female professionals?
Workshop Objectives
- Promote the image of women in the workplace and to participate in shaping the future of our industry
- Encourage, motivate and develop skills of young professionals
- Create a women’s professional network that is recognized and endorsed by management and is successful and sustainable.
- Discuss the many challenges faced by women and deliver recommendations that create an environment where women feel involved, respected and connected with their peers and where richness of their ideas, backgrounds and capabilities are harnessed to promote continuous personal and professional development.
Who Should Attend
General and asset managers, team leaders, professional women, scientists and engineers in the energy sector and in particular in the oil & gas industry. Team leaders in private, public and government sectors and academia. The aim of this workshop is to attract equal numbers of male and female colleagues.