The talent to match the tools

Oil and gas markets have changed significantly over the past few years, growing faster and gaining ground in new regions. As a result, the need for field services and technicians has also changed, not only in numbers required, but also in terms of skills and experience. Customers need first-class Technical Advisors (TAs) with in-depth knowledge of different products, an understanding of overall plant dynamics and, whenever possible, who are native to the country of each operation.

In response to this new environment, GE's Oil & Gas business has initiated an extensive worldwide recruitment campaign – attracting experienced industry professionals as well as entry-level workers with excellent aptitudes for the work ahead.

But as important as the quantity of new recruits, is the quality and type of training they receive. GE's highly specialized and structured training program gives TAs the advanced knowledge and experience needed to best support customers in the new high-tech era of oil and gas.

In order to ensure that our customers have access to consistent first class technical expertise, GE Oil & Gas has developed a knowledge management program, whose objective is to provide training consisting of three levels for all of our Technical Advisors (TAs) and technical and engineering employees.

The program includes several initiatives, including a detailed training plan and a comprehensive tracking of a TA’s achievements and experiences. Training is highly focused on specialization to develop the TA’s knowledge and expertise at the front end. By the end of the program, the majority of our TAs will be able to commission any type of plant, performing trouble shooting as well as installation and overhaul duties.

Entry Level

GE's first level of Technical Advisor training involves two years of comprehensive theory-based instruction on all our oil and gas equipment. It also covers Environment, Health and Safety issues, interpersonal communication and managerial skills. After 12 months, TA students must pass formal examinations before continuing on to more specialization and on-the-job training. At the end of the second year, successful candidates receive a GE Oil & Gas Professional TA Certificate.

Senior Level

This four-year program includes 40 modules designed to develop each TA's expertise in specialized areas. Training consists of classroom, on-the-job and e-learning sessions. Successful completion of yearly assessments is required.

Master Level

This certification level is attained by our top talent pool, and we aim to have 10% of our TAs qualified as Masters by 2010. The intensive five-month program augments the expertise of these individuals with advanced focus on management of plant commissioning, trouble-shooting, operations and maintenance site management.

We have devoted particular attention to the instructors and materials for our Master Level program. Modules cover all aspects of field activities from technical and management perspectives. Plant simulators have been developed for training in all types of plant commissioning scenarios. The first wave of Master Level TAs has recently been certified on high-pressure sour gas re-injection. Downstream and midstream plant training will follow shortly.

Long-term commitment

GE's training program is designed to optimize theoretical study and practical experience. It requires significant investment from our company and serious commitment from the TAs. They become the front line of defence for our customers – not only for maintaining equipment and fixing problems, but for identifying opportunities for new enhancements that will improve plant performance in the future. So we don't take short cuts.

The knowledge of our people is the most important asset in providing customers with leading solutions – and we will continue investing and developing to keep it that way.

For more information on GE Oil & Gas’ TAs Training initiative please contact

Fiorenzo Giuntini
Fiorenzo.Giuntini@ge.com