Trying to fathom the UK offshore industry can be tough at times and Offshore Europe 2015 lives up to that reputation. And sometimes it can be the simplest of things.
The core theme of this show is nurturing the next generation and, when one reads the programme, the young are indeed catered for.
However, two or three things have come to my attention since Monday evening that make me wonder about the quality of strategic planning, not just in the context of this show, but beyond that to future events.
Let me explain.
I’m lucky; I get to go to the OS gala dinner on the eve of the show. Staged in Aberdeen’s Toon Hoose, it is an occasion lent a measure of grandness by virtue of the surroundings … speeches food, toast of Bon Accord, polite goodbyes then home for an early day one start.
But then it struck me; there we were, listening to discourse on the importance of engaging the next generation; but they were absent.
Now, we can all do better; in my case a lot better. So too can the UK offshore industry by its own admission.
So I politely pointed out to a couple or three leaders in the room that the organisers of the various significant industry dinners coming up between now and Christmas need to ensure that a promising young person … apprentice, graduate trainee, even work experience youngster … be on EVERY table.
That by the way includes the top table.
Yes, this may well put a few companies (and organisations) on the spot; but if this industry is serious, then it must do it; not just once or twice, but systematically.
I made a point of highlighting this omission at the Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce OE breakfast, which was squarely themed around this next generation thing.
I was struck by some of the observations made by the brekky panel, especially those of EY’s chairman Steve Varley who was sharp, incisive and go straight to the point.
He warned his audience that this industry had to offer a compelling proposition to the young; otherwise why would they bother with what many kids regard as a has-been.
He warned too that “the talent of tomorrow doesn’t look like or think the way we do”.
Varley also said that they communicate and socialise differently; often multi-communicating … holding two conversations via two different media simultaneously.
Importantly he said: “This next generation is very team oriented; very collaborative. They want an invitation to become involved.
“The top-end talent want to be proud of what they do build a better world.”
But hang on a mo; so too did we; the silver-haired bunch who are being asked to move over; get out.
I belong to the generation that was going to put the world to rights; a mission in which we failed spectacularly.
Nonetheless, this generation of now old farts has accumulated a lot of experience; sagacity even. That is to be capitalised on, not squandered.
Remember the last downturn … all that experience that was fired? And the contracting out that back-fired too?
Accumulated wisdom is valuable; might even be like gold dust in today’s Britain. The Chinese have 4-5,000 years of accumulated wisdom; they value it.
There is fine young talent out there that must be drawn into the industry, but it must complement and dovetail with the accumulated wisdom. That’s the way to have a revolution!
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