Not Your Grandpa's Energy Industry PetroLMI

Join podcast hosts, Lisa Stephenson and Tamara Gale for a new four-part series of Not Your Grandpa’s Energy Industry which explores diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in Alberta’s energy industry.

This first episode features guest, Terry McKay a Consulting Partner with EY, to discuss a recent survey developed in collaboration with EY and Careers in Energy that approached energy workers to understand the current climate, best practices, policies and attitudes around DEI in energy. Hear about a new industry survey and learn how it evolved into a report presenting the survey results and contributing to thought leadership around issues of DEI in the industry. Terry, Lisa and Tamara discuss the progress industry has made to date and where there is still work to be done for Alberta’s energy sector to become an inclusive, diverse, accessible and safe workplace for all workers, participants and stakeholders.

Mark Scholz, President and CEO of the Canadian Association of Energy Contractors joins us today to talk about the future of Canada’s oil and gas services sector.

Balancing your home and social life when your role involves travelling across western Canada – and even down into the United States – can be a challenge. Samantha loves that her job with a hydraulic fracturing and coiled tubing company gets her out of the office, makes each day different, and gives her the opportunity to see a lot of unique places. Hear what it’s like to work in the field as a woman – the camaraderie with co-workers, the challenges of finding fitted coveralls and what it’s like to have 300 adopted older brothers. Samantha is an advocate for life-long learning, believes in working from the ground up and wants young women to consider a career in the field.

“You would be surprised what things can work out and what you can be interested in. I would say as far as any anxiety or misgivings - don't be afraid of the field. The experience you can get in the field once you're out of college and working is second to none.”

Jesse has built a rewarding career in Canada’s oil and gas services sub-sector. After working as a labourer for several years, Jesse made the shift to a management role and has found his post-secondary education focused on sociology and psychology has made him a better leader. He and his family live and work in a rural northern Alberta community that is largely dependent on oil and gas services. Find out what it’s like to raise a family working in this dynamic sector -which has a role for every skill set and interest and why Jesse thinks you should give the oil and gas services sector a second look.
“I guess when I started out I didn't realise the multitude of jobs there were in the industry you know from the environmental side all the way to the construction to the downs upstream side of refineries and I didn't realise there was so much variability.”

Alex has worked his way up through the ranks of the oil and gas services sector. Starting at the bottom as a swamper – the “grunt” role on the worksite - Alex has worked his way up to his current role as a fluid services manager – overseeing a large team and equipment fleet.

The key to Alex’s career evolution is simple in theory – start at the bottom, be willing to dig in and do the work, be open to learn and try new roles- and figure out what you want out of the job and set out to get it.

So what makes you a good fit for the oil and gas services sector? Alex says it’s the “ability to want to come to work and learn. Everyday is something different. Come to work with a positive attitude. Be fit for work. Everyday is something new - in 20 plus years it's never been the same on site every day.”

Listen to Alex’s story as we take a look into Alberta’s oil and gas services sector – to find out what’s changing, what’s coming and why it’s not your grandpa’s energy industry.

We’re drilling down into the world of site reclamation. In this episode, we’re chatting with Mark Ashton, President at 360 Energy Liability Management.