Social Responsibility

 
Training

Many opportunities are available to further employees' professional growth and development at all stages of their Oxy career.

For example:

  • Oxy employees have access to over 60 online professional development courses in multiple languages. In 2007, more than 700 employees took advantage of these courses.
  • The Managing My Career workshop, launched in 2007, provides employees with the tools to implement the best career decisions for themselves and the company.
  • A recently launched web site for new employees provides a company overview and essential information. Other on-boarding programs include orientations and lunches at which new employees can meet company leaders, colleagues and fellow recruits.
  • The OxyChem Educational Assistance program enables employees to build their skills and knowledge. In early 2008, 42 employees were active participants, enrolled in a variety of degree programs.

The international assets have comprehensive training programs geared to meeting the unique challenges faced by their respective business units. The subject matter ranges from language instruction to HES skills. In 2007, Oxy Oman provided approximately 25 hours of training per employee, Oxy Colombia 30 hours per employee, Oxy Argentina 23 hours per employee and Oxy Yemen 20 hours per employee.

In Libya, professional training is part of Oxy's contractual arrangements with the National Oil Company and host government. Oxy Libya exceeded its 2007 employee training commitment of 20,800 hours by 240 percent. In addition, Oxy provides members of local communities with skills training, including computer and English skills. In 2007, Oxy exceeded its target for this training by 408 percent.

A variety of programs promote leadership development at all levels of the company. For example, OxyChem develops new leaders through the Leadership Essentials program, attended by more than 220 people since it began in 2007.

Technical training

Oxy's global technical training program emphasizes the development and ongoing enhancement of critical work force competencies. The training takes a variety of forms, from formal classroom instruction to distance learning, on-the-job experience and job rotations. Oxy's technical training includes:

  • Oil & Gas Engineering Development Program. By the close of 2007, more than 120 U.S.-based engineers were benefiting from this program, which centers on early project accountability, mentoring, training and job rotations.
  • Oil & Gas Geoscience Functional Training. In 2007, this program focused on characterizing and predicting reservoir quality in Oxy's oil and gas fields around the world.
  • OxyChem Plant Technician Training Program. OxyChem has developed a training program for each of the manufacturing processes and technologies used in its plants. A typical operator in one of OxyChem's major plants receives an average of 85 hours of training per year.

Training on the Move

Traversing work sites throughout the 14,000-acre Caño Limón Field, Oxy Colombia's mobile classroom brings HES and social responsibility topics to employees and contractors, utilizing troubadours and other performers to provide an engaging educational tool for ongoing training. Designed in collaboration with Universidad del Rosario, the program seamlessly integrates into the workday, with 20-minute presentations during shift changes or the daily safety talks. Employees have credited the new, innovative methods with helping them to learn key HES topics.

Job preparation in Oman

To address a shortage of experienced workers, Oxy Oman launched several training and recruiting programs, from vocational training for assistant operators and technicians to internships for students. Graduates of the vocational training will have the opportunity to apply for open positions with Oxy or other oil companies. Students in the summer internship program receive training and exposure to the petroleum industry; assigned mentors offer guidance and evaluate the students' potential for long-term.