ADIPEC Launches Initiative to Inspire Youth to Pursue Careers in Gas and Oil Industry

• ‘Young ADIPEC' to Engage Hundreds of Young People in the UAE
• Initiative to Start with Abu Dhabi and the Western Region 

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 21 October, 2013 –The Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC) is set to launch comprehensive programme designed to inspire a generation of young people across the UAE to pursue careers in the gas and oil industry.

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community, and supported by Abu Dhabi Education Council, Young ADIPEC will involve a series of youth engagement activities up to and beyond ADIPEC that enable young people across the country to connect with the gas and oil industry and better understand the opportunities it offers.

The initiative will address the growing shortfall of young people entering the industry, which poses a threat to the future success of the sector, particularly during a critical time of development and evolution. According to research from the Petroleum Institute, nearly 50 per cent of the current energy workforce is set to retire in the next 10 years.
 
“The gas and oil industry grows in its importance year on year as economic growth creates surge in energy demand across the world and crucially within the Middle East,” said Mohammed A. Sahoo AlSuwaidi, Director, Gas Directorate – ADNOC and Chairman – ADIPEC 2013 Conference.

He added: “It is vital that the industry takes collective responsibility to inspire and nurture our youth to pursue careers within the sector, safeguard our economic future and ensure energy security. Young ADIPEC is designed to facilitate that process as an initiative of critical importance to the future of the gas and oil industry both regionally and internationally.”

The initiative will begin with the selection of 200 11-18 year-old students from schools across Abu Dhabi and the Western Region. The students will enjoy trips to oilfield sites, training centres and gas tool workshops in Abu Dhabi. Throughout the excursion, video diaries will be recorded and eventually displayed on the interactive photo wall at the experience centre at ADIPEC.

Young ADIPEC will also include live activation on Abu Dhabi Corniche during ‘Yasalam' – a series of pre and post-race events across the capital. The Young ADIPEC activation will feature a fully electric car designed and built by local students, in collaboration with Shell – demonstrating the exciting and futuristic opportunities the energy business offers.

The initiative also features social media competitions and interactive-Young ADIPEC zone during the event itself, which will include interactive video games, animated films, a treasure hunt and a career guidance cell. It will also host a museum and an experience zone, allowing students to gain an insight into the workings of the gas and oil industry and a Petroleum Institute zone, giving young people clear guidance on the education path.

AlSuwaidi added: “We face a worrying shortage of skilled young professionals and in a region that is so important to the global hydrocarbon industry it is imperative that steps to reverse the trend are taken.” 

Supported by ADNOC, GE Oil and Gas, Total, Shell, Exxon Mobile, Partex Oil and Gas and Technip, Young ADIPEC is just one of a raft of new features launched at this year's ADIPEC, which will showcase an expanded technical conference, a brand new business conference and a critical look at the role of women in the gas and oil industry.