Powering people, energising the future
As IndianOil prepares for a future shaped by technology, sustainability and new forms of energy, its people strategy is undergoing an equally significant transformation. In conversation with The Pioneer, Rashmi Govil, Director (Human Resources), IndianOil, shares her perspective on future skills, AI, emerging career opportunities and what the next generation needs to succeed in India’s evolving energy sector
IndianOil is transforming from a conventional oil and gas company into a diversified energy major. How is this transition changing the kind of talent and skills that IndianOil will require over the next decade?
Our current business strategy focuses on strengthening the core while also capitalising on new and diversified business opportunities. Therefore, our talent strategy, which is totally business-aligned, is also focusing on core disciplines while developing the current manpower to handle new business challenges.
To quote a few examples, about three years back, as changes started happening in the energy mix, we launched a programme, “Nav Urja”, in collaboration with premium academic institutes of the country, with a customised programme imparting technical and commercial skills required to scale up in the field of renewable energy.
We are also actively equipping our employees with skills in AI, data sciences, biofuels, green hydrogen, etc. Thus, our belief in balancing the inward and the outward helps us keep an equal focus on the existing and the new.
Artificial intelligence, automation and data analytics are rapidly changing the workplace. How is IndianOil preparing its existing workforce for this transformation, and which digital capabilities will become most important for future employees?
The skills mentioned need different degrees of penetration in different work profiles. At the same time, it is also required that some level of expertise in these skills should be available across all job roles. Hence, we are following a two-pronged approach for imparting these new-age skills. On one side, we conduct a series of webinars and offer several online certification courses to our employees so that a large cross-section of employees has a working knowledge of these skills. On the other hand, we also have specialised courses imparting sustained deep insight to a limited set of employees who would be driving production and process efficiencies by leveraging AI and data analytics at plant/process/field level.
For students and young professionals who aspire to build a career with IndianOil, what qualities do you look for beyond academic performance and technical qualifications?
We are looking for candidates with a keen sense of curiosity, learning agility, innovation mindset and resilience to accept new challenges that come with postings in new locations and different new assignments. IndianOil has a pan-India presence in the end-to-end hydrocarbon value chain, i.e. upstream, midstream and downstream, and also a whole range of product portfolio. This requires executives to move across multiple job roles and geographies, and thus the said attributes are an imperative for us.
Young professionals today increasingly seek purpose, learning opportunities and rapid career growth. How is IndianOil adapting its employee experience to attract and retain this new generation of talent?
I would say that for any young professional seeking purpose, learning opportunities and career growth, we are a great choice. We grow our own timber. Thus, young professionals who join IndianOil at the lowest induction level and have the potential and right leadership qualities can grow up to the Board level. In fact, several of our professionals have been selected for Board-level positions in other companies as well.
In addition, as mentioned earlier, our pan-India presence and multiplicity of roles provide a very rounded learning experience and opportunity to challenge oneself throughout the career lifecycle.
We are the “Energy of India” and one of the largest commercial undertakings. Nation-First, Care, Innovation, Passion, Trust are our core values and also our strongest Employee Value Proposition for retention. We take care of our employees from cradle to grave and have low attrition rates. We are a company to build a lifelong career with.
Green hydrogen, biofuels, EV infrastructure and other new-energy businesses are opening entirely new career opportunities. Which emerging areas should engineering, management and other students start preparing themselves for today?
While we recruit candidates in core engineering streams and through our HR interventions, keep talent relevant across their life cycle, we would certainly want candidates who are aware and have the know-how of the latest in the energy sector. After all, all emerging branches of engineering find their foundation in core engineering disciplines.
As one of India’s largest public-sector enterprises, IndianOil offers diverse career opportunities. What advice would you give young professionals seeking to build long-term leadership careers at IndianOil?
Don’t think twice. If you have the potential and the drive, with IndianOil, the sky is the limit. Come join us.
As IndianOil transitions into a diversified energy major, it seeks curious, resilient talent to tackle challenges. Equipping its workforce with future-ready skills like artificial intelligence, the company offers professionals career growth to board-level leadership