Bridging the skills gap
Jeremy Laird
Originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Jeremy has worked in the energy sector for more than 20 years. His career began as a deckhand before joining the Wood Group in 1997. He then worked his way up to Control Room Specialist by 2008, joined Hess as Senior Lead Operator in 2014. Following Trident Energy’s acquisition, Jeremy’s experience and skillset were recognized and he was given the opportunity to become an OIM.
Jeremy’s first FPSO experience was with Chevron in the Gulf of Mexico when he saw the impact of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill. He has been right behind the industry’s changes since then in terms of safety processes, mindset and the importance of training and professional development at all levels.
As an OIM, training young production engineers and other operational roles is a core responsibility. Even though much of the day-to-day work in the sector has been digitalized, he believes it is critical everyone has the underlying know-how and practical skills to resolve issues and appreciate that there are several solutions to every challenge.
Jeremy recognizes there is a risk of a skills gap opening up in the oil and gas industry. “You have the older, more experienced people who know the fundamentals inside out, and a younger generation with different perspectives and priorities,” he says. “As the older generations retire, we need to ensure their knowledge is transferred, and the existing workforce are fully prepared for leadership roles, different situations and risks.”
He therefore sees training and mentoring as an obligation for any senior leader.
Jeremy Laird, Offshore Installation Manager“We’re here to help employees grow and learn. It’s not just about helping people progress in their careers. It’s also about spotting the potential for future skills gaps and proactively investing in learning and development.”