As we transform our business to meet our sustainable goals, our workforce is at the heart of the shift. Training gives them the tools they need to continue excelling, today and tomorrow.
A global transformation is underway
As we rush to meet net-zero goals, we must make changes across every area of our society, from industrial strategies down to the individual choices we make every day.
Perhaps the most important shift is how we produce the energy we need to power our lives. Our sector is transforming its operations to generate power more cleanly, affordably and securely to make the energy transition as smooth as possible. That means embracing breakthrough technologies and maximizing the efficiency of existing processes. It means embracing the latest AI tools and collaborating with new partners to tackle the challenges along the way.
Central to this effort are our people, from drillers, subsurface specialists and engineers to project managers, commercial experts, legal and IT specialists. Our traditional skills in exploration and production are the backbone of our low-carbon solutions. We chose to expand into geothermal and carbon capture and storage because of our decades of subsurface expertise. It’s our skilled experts and dedicated teams that set us apart and drive our net-zero goals.
By identifying skill gaps and designing targeted training, we can keep our team ahead of the curve in this dynamic industry.
A skills transition
The energy mix is shifting from fossil fuels to low-carbon solutions. Many skills from Petroleum and Geoscience can transfer to areas like Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and geothermal energy. For example, a Petroleum Engineer might become a Geothermal Reservoir Engineer. It’s crucial to navigate these changes and tackle challenges head-on, enhancing skills along the way.
As Thomas Florian, the head of our CCS & Hydrogen Storage department explains, “After spending over 15 years on extracting as much oil and gas as possible from the ground, I am now working on injecting CO2 back into the ground. The technical aspects and our approach to these projects are basically the same. What makes it so exciting is the significance for the future and being part of the net-zero journey.”
Similarly, our geothermal energy project, “deeep” - a joint venture with Wien Energie - has been developed and executed by OMV colleagues with extensive experience in the traditional business. Once completed, the project will supply climate-neutral district heating for up to 200,000 households in Vienna. “This project was driven by our colleagues who transitioned from the traditional oil and gas sector. Their open-mindedness and can-do attitude were key to its success.”, highlighted Angelika Zartl-Klik, SVP of our Low Carbon Business.
Where skill gaps do occur, it’s our responsibility to provide tailored training so our teams can navigate the challenges in this fast-moving industry. “Having a strong technical background is still crucial,” explains Wolfgang Janauschek, Head of our Geothermal Development Department, “but continuous learning is key”.
Ultimately, it’s the skills of our experts and dedicated subsurface teams that give us a unique competitive edge in developing these game-changing technologies, helping us grow our low-carbon business.
Data literacy
We’re diversifying our energy portfolio and maximizing the efficiency by embracing digital tools to save time, money, resources and emissions. Henrik Mosser, Senior Vice-President of Operated Assets, points out: “keeping up with new tech and trying out fresh ideas is a big part of OMV’s success. When we bring in new tech, we look at the benefits, how easy it is to use, and where it can be applied.”
We’re applying them in diverse ways. Digital tools simplify tasks like automating isolation procedures and switching over to e-permits. Our ground teams use advanced AI to optimize to geothermal drilling and CO2 storage, with decision-making algorithms inspired by self-driving cars, ensuring strict safety standards and efficiency.
Since 2018, our digital skills training program has embedded data literacy across OMV, focusing on data management, IT, and AI. The OMV Digital Academy offers courses in data science, Python, analytics, and machine learning.
“Data is crucial; it’s the backbone of modern energy systems,” explains Markus Berghofer, SVP of Business Transformation at OMV. “Our goal is to blend traditional energy engineering with digital advancements.”
A place to learn grow, connect and collaborate
Our commitment to training is key to our transformation, but it’s also about empowering our colleagues to succeed.
For Lena Lavicka, Head of our HR Business Partner Energy Department, “relevant training boosts happiness, engagement, and productivity. We want everyone to see OMV as a place where they can learn, grow, connect, and collaborate.”
Our goal is to make learning a natural part of everyday work life. Targeted training enhances traditional competencies with digital skills, keeping them at the forefront of their fields and boosts job satisfaction. This creates a vibrant, exciting, and rewarding work environment, where our teams are encouraged to innovate.
Franca De Nitto, VP of Operations Excellence feels integral to OMV's net-zero journey. Achieving our goals means a fundamental transformation of our business, and every colleague has a role to play. Our training programs engage in this mission, equipping them with skills to leverage sustainable technologies and tackle challenges.
Gisela Vanegas Cabas, Head of our Capability Excellence Department, summarizes: “Embracing change is key. There’s still much to learn, and plenty of uncertainty, but I’m confident we’ll make it work.”