According to data revealed by the latest oil and gas Global Workforce Survey conducted by OilCareers.com and Air Energi, current efforts to encourage more women into the energy industry are not working. Every effort should be taken to encourage women to consider a career in energy and help shake off the image that working in oil or gas is ‘a man’s job’ so that everyone can lend their talents and skills. The energy industry is one where there are plenty of job opportunities in a variety of sectors, creating work for anyone as long as they have the right skillsets.

What do the numbers show?

To get an accurate representation of the issues surrounding the lack of women in the industry more than 4300 employees and hiring managers in every region around the world were surveyed. The results show that across the world the perception is that the industry is male-dominated and this masculine perception is a problem that the industry must overcome.

• 48% of energy employees reported that a contributing factor to the gender imbalance was due to the culture created by a male-dominated environment.
• 53% of hiring managers also believed this to be the case.
• 47% of employees believe this issue needs to be addressed.
• 40% of hiring managers want to see this issue removed and broaden the range of potential skillsets.

Why does this image need to change?

The report highlighted that the chronic skills gap in oil and gas has made many companies realise that there is a distinct lack of women considering oil and gas as a career. This is despite the fact that many already possess related business, science or engineering degrees that would offer them great career prospects. A masculine image of the industry is believed to be a barrier in the minds of many women, deterring them from potential job opportunities. A majority of those interviewed agreed that addressing this issue would give the industry access to a wider talent pool and change the overall image for the better.

How are companies trying to reduce the gender gap?

Many companies are introducing internal initiatives aimed specifically at employing more women into oil and gas at all levels of seniority, though the report claims that more needs to be done and that all companies are accountable. One of the most widely used methods of addressing the gender gap is through utilising recruitment quotas, though the survey has shown that many of the hiring managers interviewed were unaware that this policy was in in place.

This has led observers of the report to comment that it is unfair for companies to complain of a skills shortage in the industry if they are half-heartedly seeking to recruit more women. The industry needs to take an all-encompassing view of the situation to address it.

At People With Energy we fully support the effort that needs to be taken to reduce the masculine image of the industry. We help to provide jobs for those with a great variety of skills, encouraging both men and women to apply. If you are considering a job in the industry be sure to check out our vacancies database.