Intern - I&E, Automation, Mechanic

Overview

The need to find and train new workers is an ongoing concern for many oil and gas businesses. As more experienced personnel retire from the workforce, it is imperative that a new generation of workers is available to step up and replace the vacancies. And yet, many companies have trouble finding qualified candidates for the available positions. That is why Danos is working with customers and technical colleges to improve the pool of experienced workers entering the industry.

The Challenge

The lack of qualified applicants for available oil and gas production jobs can be attributed to many factors, but first among these is the general lack of hands-on technical training. Companies are looking for workers with more than just a two-year degree; they also want people with practical experience gained from on-the-job skill development.

Though a number of community colleges and technical schools offer oil and gas training programs, enrollment levels have been low in recent years. This is due in part to the lack of awareness among students, particularly women, of the opportunities that exist in oil and gas. The struggle of graduates to secure a position without additional work experience is likely also part of the story.

In order to help address these issues, Danos’ internship program has two major aims: first, to provide a solution for the industry talent gap with a more inclusive and diverse workforce, and second, to help ensure students in the programs receive job-relevant training and opportunities with hands-on skill development. It’s about building a pipeline of talent that can help the industry continue to grow in the coming years.

The Program

Danos is tackling both of these challenges through its innovative internship program. This program offers students enrolled in oil and gas production degree programs the opportunity to work offshore and gain valuable job experience. By intentionally promoting the program to students of varied backgrounds and demographics, and by providing practical experience, Danos is contributing to the growth of diverse new talent for the industry.

Each student in the program spends six to nine months receiving hands-on training in an offshore environment. Field internships are made possible through the support of oil and gas operators (Danos customers) as well as the schools’ willingness to accommodate an offshore schedule. During the internship, students work 14-days on followed by 14-days off. Currently, all interns are placed in offshore environments, but Danos would like to eventually offer onshore placements as well. 

Internships typically focus on production operations or instrumentation and electrical (I&E). Students are assigned a mentor working for the operator, who is responsible for directing their learning and providing feedback and assessments. The interns generally shadow multiple employees around all areas of the offshore facility, performing tasks like walking rounds, checking levels and valves, assisting with work on compressors, introductory control room work and more. The goal is to give the intern as broad an experience as possible with hands-on tasks and exposure to day-to-day operations. Though the training is offshore, it also helps the intern qualify for work in the onshore environment, like plants or other industrial facilities, expanding their job prospects even further.

By offering interns on-the-job learning opportunities with support and mentoring from industry professionals, the program helps these students build skill sets and gain experience that truly sets them apart. Danos works directly with customers and schools to ensure that interns are meeting goals and that training programs are aligned with industry needs. 

Growing the Pool

Part of attracting more students to energy careers requires expanding the pool of participants to include people of all ages and backgrounds, including veterans and more women. While women have always held jobs in the oil and gas industry, they are increasingly moving into positions in fieldwork, including offshore rigs. The offshore work environment is evolving, enabling a more diverse range of people to find not only well-paying jobs but successful careers. 

Since the program began, 14 students have completed internships, and nearly all have landed jobs upon graduation. What’s more, those 14 interns ranged in age from 19 to mid-40s, and eight have been women.  

Part of the challenge is changing perceptions about the oil and gas industry. Newer industries like tech appeal to younger generations, and some may see the energy industry as old-fashioned or as one with an uncertain future. It is up to businesses and professional associations, and on-the-job learning programs like this one, to show students that workers of all backgrounds and demographics can find great success via energy careers. By promoting a work environment that welcomes diversity and inclusion in the industry, Danos is working to encourage a greater sense of belonging and purpose among all employees.

The Impact

In addition to the program's benefits for students, it also serves the needs of oil and gas businesses and the industry as a whole. Danos’ internship program has already demonstrated success bringing a wider range of workers into the industry at a time when they are greatly needed. The program has led to improved curricula and the development of a more competent and diverse applicant pool available to address the needs of operators and producers. It has also generated greater enthusiasm and awareness of the benefits of oil and gas careers, leading to greater enrollment levels at technical schools and colleges. All of these advances help to strengthen the pipeline of talent needed to power the industry into the future.

Why Danos?

Danos is a family-owned company, driven by deeply held values, vision and purpose. It’s something that sets the company apart, guiding its actions in everything from high-level strategy to day-to-day worker interactions. Its core purpose is honoring God and developing great people to solve big challenges for its customers and communities. In the face of a clear industry need for a larger pool of competent, task-ready applicants, the company asked itself what it could do. This internship program is a reflection of Danos’ commitment to being a leader in the industry, from operational excellence and customer service to community investment and growth. Among the company’s core values, improvement is one of the most important. Danos is always seeking ways to improve its own operations, solve customer problems and tackle big challenges for the benefit of all. Through the support of its customers and collaboration with participating schools and colleges, Danos is helping to reshape efforts to bring new workers into the industry. They’re making a difference, one intern at a time.