Diversifying skills to grow and contribute to energy transition
With a passion for mechanical engineering, ambitions to grow in the energy sector and close community ties to the company, Gordon joined Shell’s Graduate Programme in 2010. Over a decade and seven roles later, he reflects on the learning and growth opportunities at Shell that helped him become a versatile professional more equipped to contribute to achieving the net-zero emission goals.
Hailing from Miri in Malaysia, where Shell first started an upstream site in 1910 laying the foundation of Malaysia’s thriving energy sector and with a passion for mechanical engineering, Gordon aimed to contribute to the energy sector from the time he started to plan his career.
In 2010, Gordon began his energy journey in renewables after earning awards for academic excellence. Joining a solar manufacturing company, he trained in the US and swiftly advanced. In 2012, he embraced Shell's Graduate Programme due to its regional significance and growth prospects.
His journey at Shell started in alarm management, evolving to hands-on offshore experience that set the stage for his growth in the energy sector. This experience revealed the broader impact of his work on energy reliability and progress. Reflecting on seven roles in eleven years, Gordon says he cherishes the recognition for his consistent performance and guidance and opportunities for self-development to back his thirst for learning that he’s received at Shell.
Starting off his journey with the Shell Graduate Programme (SGP) followed by the Shell Advance Technical Programme (SATP), Gordon received the technical training to help kick-start his career, as well as trainings specific to his field of Production Operations. All of these, he says, provided a solid foundation for a young graduate to grow. “Working closely with senior colleagues at Shell made me realise the importance of the upstream role. We shoulder the responsibility of consistently delivering affordable energy to communities in several regions of the world and ensuring the safety of the ecology and our colleagues on site,” he says with pride.
Through daily production review meetings, huddles, and opportunities & threats meetings, as well as a few recurring external engagements relating to production, Gordon gets the opportunity to closely collaborate with senior colleagues and external stakeholders which help him acquire some of their critical thinking skills. “For example, when I generate the monthly Sarawak Production Latest Estimate, I apply this critical thinking that I gather from various stakeholders to ensure the estimate is robust,” he explains.
Currently, as a Short-Term Production Planner, Gordon plays an active role in reducing emissions, increasing operational efficiency, and ensuring energy stability while Shell continues to develop new solutions. And the training he receives , he believes, will enable him to further contribute to Shell’s energy transition efforts and utilise his skills for newer forms of energy in the future. Gordon considers the on-the-job training he has received at Shell to be the best kind of learning experience which has helped deepen specific competence elements of his job.
“Shell is capable of achieving its goal of net-zero emissions and all of us will have an important role to play in the energy transition,” he concludes.