Mentoring

WPC Mentoring Programme  

The 5th cycle of the WPC Mentoring Programme which expanded to include 14 groups and over 70 mentees has now completed.  Quality and diversity are priorities for this programme and the mentees came from 23 countries encompassing Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America with a varied background which reflects the global and inclusive structure of the WPC.  These groups were mentored by 14 Senior Experts in the industry again with diverse professional and global backgrounds, who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to this programme.

The WPC is committed to involving young people in the oil and gas industry and recognises the importance of attracting, retaining and developing talent for the future.  A diverse and empowering WPC Mentoring Programme provides the opportunity to discuss current topics with colleagues from different countries and backgrounds and mentees from the recent cycle gave feedback on what it meant to them https://www.world-petroleum.org/latest-news/501-mentoring-programme-the-end-of-a-cycle.

For the 5th edition, the Mentoring Programme involved a minimum of 70 participants. Each mentoring circle consisted of a small group (4-5) of young people, both students and young professionals, and these mentees are assigned to a senior industry professional who acts as their mentor. These international groups regularly got together in a conference call to discuss a set of issues, both industry and career related and in order to allow for regular communication mentees are matched with mentors from similar time zones.

As part of the WPC Young Professionals Committee’s (YP) mission, one key focus point is to “bridge the generation gap through mentorship networks”. In order to achieve that objective, the WPC started a “Pilot Mentoring Programme” in October 2010.

The aim of the WPC Mentoring Programme is to provide young people with an opportunity to directly engage with senior industry experts to discuss the main issues and draw upon their experiences, expectations and suggestions.

WPC Mentoring circles provide a supportive relationship between an experienced member of the oil and gas industry and a small group of early career professionals or students.  Mentors encourage and provide perspectives on their profession, experience, expertise and advice to mentees.  In return, mentees discuss their questions, thoughts and concerns on diverse issues related to the energy industry with their mentor and their peers in the group.

This engagement is aimed at developing global cooperation through direct communication and access to a network of experience from an international non-corporate perspective to consider alternative strategies, advice and to achieve a common understanding. 

The programme is set up as follows:

Implementation:            

Step 1:  WPC Young Professionals Committee (YP) Members and National YP members are invited to paritcipate as mentees in the programme. Senior WPC executives and leaders in the National Committees are invited to become mentors. 

Step 2: The confirmed mentors and mentees are matched according to the time zone at their location. Notifications are then sent to mentors and mentees with an introduction and the mentors start the discussions.

Step 3: Mentors set up the conference calls with the group and select a few topics to start with. Once they start talking the circle decides together on the topics for the following calls.

Step 4: Summaries from the calls are sent to all group members and the coordinators to monitor the progress and track the discussion points.

Step 5: Mentors and Mentees may have the opportunity to meet face-to-face at the 23rd World Petroleum Congress in Houston, USA in December 2021.  

Step 6: Towards the end of the Programme, all the groups come together for a joint meeting to discuss the outcomes of the Programme and share their experiences.

Step 7: At the end of the Mentoring Programme cycle, mentees receive certificates for their participation in the programme. 

HOW TO APPLY TO BE A MENTEE

The applications system for the 5th WPC Mentoring Programme is now closed.  The next cycle will be available by July 2023.

The 6th cycle dates will be confirmed soon and a 2 year commitment is required by all participants.

MENTOR APPLICATIONS

If you are interested in joining this programme as a Mentor or Mentee please contact Sarah Ashmore at the WPC Secretariat at WPCSecretariat@world-petroleum.org

For further information or any questions about the WPC Mentoring Programme, please contact WPCSecretariat@world-petroleum.org or wpcmentoring@outlook.com.