PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--University of Phoenix and the American Petroleum Institute (API) today announced a program that works with select community colleges nationwide on developing transfer pathways to help foster highly skilled talent in the oil and gas industry. These pathways are a blueprint to help associate-degreed students obtain a bachelor’s degree while developing workplace competencies that are critical to the industry.
“This program is an important step in building the next generation of oil and gas industry leaders equipped to meet the challenges of the growing energy industry,” said Barry Feierstein, Executive Vice President and Chief Business Operating Officer at University of Phoenix. “API and University of Phoenix are currently collaborating with nine community colleges, resulting in 20 pathway programs in Texas, Louisiana, Ohio, Florida and California.”
The oil and gas industry remains a bright spot in the American economy, supporting more than 9.2 million jobs and investing billions here at home.* As the industry continues to grow, and as the technologies and economic trends at the heart of this growth expand, the base of skilled workers is changing dramatically. Today’s oil and gas worker must possess skills beyond the traditional industry specialties and build on competencies such as business acumen, project management, communication abilities and environmental stewardship.
In January 2013, API and University of Phoenix invited oil and gas leaders to participate in a roundtable discussion to examine the workforce needs of tomorrow. Today’s announcement coincides with the release of the roundtable report, which offers recommendations for attracting and retaining a skilled oil and gas workforce, as well as developing a talent pipeline through deeper collaboration between industry and higher education. To request a copy of the report, contact industrystrategy@phoenix.edu.
“This is an important effort to help individuals gain the skills they need to succeed in the 21st Century and with a growing industry that makes a significant contribution to fueling our economy,” said John Modine, Director, API Global Industry Services.
The report notes other potential gains from increased cooperation among industry stakeholders, such as improving public perception of the oil and gas industry, increasing workforce diversity through outreach to women and minorities, and enhancing understanding of the wide range of career options open to qualified recruits.
“University of Phoenix is deeply committed to partnering with organizations across the energy industry to address workforce needs,” said Jane Oates, Vice President of External Affairs at Apollo Group, parent company of University of Phoenix. “We are working with organizations across the oil and gas, nuclear, natural gas, and renewable spectrum to ensure the American energy workforce is ready to meet the industry’s needs.”
To learn about University of Phoenix initiatives to address the skills gap in the energy industry and beyond, visit apollogrp.edu/workforce.
About The American Petroleum Institute
The American Petroleum Institute (API) is the only national trade association that represents all aspects of America’s oil and natural gas industry. API’s more than 500 corporate members, from the largest major oil company to the smallest of independents, come from all segments of the industry. They are producers, refiners, suppliers, pipeline operators and marine transporters, as well as service and supply companies that support all segments of the industry. For more information, visit www.api.org.
About University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix is constantly innovating to help working adults move efficiently from education to careers in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant and engaging courses, and interactive learning can help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. As a subsidiary of Apollo Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: APOL), University of Phoenix serves a diverse student population, offering associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs from campuses and learning centers across the U.S. as well as online throughout the world. For more information, visit www.phoenix.edu.
*PricewaterhouseCoopers. (2009, September 8). “The Economic Impacts of the Oil and Natural Gas Industry on the U.S. Economy: Employment, Labor, Income and Value Added.” Prepared for the American Petroleum Institute.
