The talent to match your needs

Oil and gas markets have changed significantly over the past few years, growing faster and gaining ground in new regions, and with a higher level of technological sophistication to match the new challenges of the industry. As a result, the need for field services and technicians has also changed, not only in the numbers required, but especially in terms of skills and experience. Customers need first-class Field Engineers (FEs) with in-depth knowledge of all of our products, an understanding of overall plant dynamics and, who are, whenever possible, native to the country where the operation is located.

In response to this new scenario, GE’s Oil & Gas business has initiated an extensive worldwide campaign which is being successful in recruiting experienced industry professionals as well as entry-level personnel eager to learn and to develop a career.
As important as the quantity of new recruits, is the type and quality of the training they receive. GE’s highly specialized and structured FE training program provides a strong foundation of basic field engineering skills and then builds on the advanced knowledge and specialized experience that FEs need to deliver first-class support to customers in all areas of the oil & gas industry.

In order to ensure consistent excellence of our services, GE Oil & Gas has developed a knowledge management program that it uses to track the progress of FEs during their training and to periodically recertify their capabilities after graduation. FEs are required to pass examinations on their theoretical and practical classroom curriculum, and the on-the-job training that they receive in order to become certified and to proceed to the next level of training.

The program includes three levels of training, each adding significantly to the FE’s skills and to the responsibilities that the FE is qualified to assume.

Entry Level

GE’s first level of Field Engineering 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, FE students must pass a formal examination 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 FE Certificate.

Senior Level

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

Master Level

This certification level is attained by our top talent pool, and we aim to have 10% of our FEs 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 very careful attention to the selection of the instructors and materials for our Master Level program. Modules cover all aspects of field activities from both technical and management perspectives. Plant simulators have been developed for training in all types of plant commissioning scenarios. The first wave of Master Level FEs 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 FEs. They become the front line interface to 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.

GE Oil & Gas considers the knowledge of our people to be the most important asset we have for providing customers with leading technical solutions. So we don’t take short cuts here and we will continue investing and developing our people as our commitment to our customers.