Becht and PBF Energy: Partners in Training
Here at Becht, we pride ourselves on working collaboratively, partnering with our clients to develop and implement efficient, sustainable, and fit-for-purpose solutions. As with most sectors, employee retention has become a big issue in the oil and gas industry following the pandemic’s Great Retirement and Great Resignation.
As exiting employees take their experience and knowledge with them, reliance on remaining and incoming workers has been increasing. However, the next generation presents its own challenges. Over the past five years, newer employees have been leaving the oil & gas and energy sectors, plus, fewer people are seeking these types of opportunities, with those in the industry becoming more likely to job-hop than their predecessors due to a veritable bidding war for talent.
Recognizing this generational challenge, PBF Energy is partnering with Becht to retain and attract employees.
PBF Energy’s New Hire Course: Building a Strong Foundation
In response to retention issues, including loss of institutional knowledge at PBF Energy Facilities, Becht was originally brought in to discuss opportunities for training and mentoring because a strong training program can increase employee satisfaction. Becht’s network of globally renowned subject matter experts provides a deep bench of knowledge across multiple disciplines and technologies.
Working together, PBF Energy and Becht developed the following plan for Becht to assist PBF Energy by providing:
- Ad hoc technical support
- Guidance on industry knowledge and best practices
- Training support
- Stronger initiation to company culture
Kristen Becht, Becht’s Learning & Development Division Manager, guided the PBF Energy Team toward BechtCONNECT, a proprietary Becht software tool that provides a “Knowledge-on-Demand Network” to empower employees, bolster operational efficiency, and allow direct access to the knowledge of Becht’s team of refining experts.
In addition to the support provided by BechtCONNECT, Becht and PBF Energy collaborated to design a customized training partnership that ensures PBF employees receive expert training and mentoring on topics most relevant to them.
Finally, the PBF Energy Leadership Team implemented an in-person Early Career Engineer Development week in which those who were recently hired into the company have an opportunity to meet in person and build relationships across sites and with the company’s Leadership Team.
Comprehensive Orientation for New Engineers
PBF Energy dedicates significant time to orienting their new engineers, ensuring they are well-versed in company procedures, norms, and values. This orientation goes beyond introducing them to the company by providing an immersive experience designed to integrate new hires into the PBF Energy Culture. Activities focusing on team building, understanding company policies, and familiarizing new employees with the organizational structure are pivotal parts of the orientation, which is now in its third consecutive year—a testament to its success and effectiveness.
Refinery Fundamentals with Mike Bober
For two out of the five days of the PBF Energy Early Career Engineer Development course, participants dive deep into Refining Fundamentals with Becht subject matter expert and instructor Mike Bober. This segment of the course is designed to give new engineers a solid grounding in the essential principles of refinery operational objectives and technologies. Leveraging his deep refining expertise, extensive knowledge, and engaging teaching style, Mike makes complex topics accessible, interesting, and relevant, while the PBF Energy Leadership Team enhances the course by providing valuable commentary and perspective.
BechtCONNECT: Empowering the Workforce
Another crucial component of PBF Energy’s approach to providing support engineers need is their uptake of BechtCONNECT. This platform provides engineers access to subject matter experts, best practices, and interactive modules, ensuring that PBF Energy’s early-career engineers receive top-notch education and support. BechtCONNECT clients, particularly those focused on training, benefit greatly from this partnership.
Engaging and Retaining New Engineers
One of the primary goals of the PBF Energy Early Career Engineer Development course is to engage new engineers and ensure they feel ingrained in the company culture. By bringing together new hires from all PBF Energy Sites, the program fosters a sense of community and belonging. Engineers meet the Leadership Team, learn from each other, and create bonds that will support them throughout their careers. This sense of camaraderie and mutual support is crucial for retention because the course makes engineers feel more connected to their peers and the company.
The partnership between PBF Energy and Becht has created so much more than just a basic training program; the course is a strategic initiative designed to build a strong foundation for early-career engineers. Through comprehensive training, a focus on company culture, and the support of BechtCONNECT, PBF Energy is setting up their new hires for long-term success, and Becht is honored to be part of this mission.
Are you looking for a strategic partner like Becht to help take your team to the next level? Contact us or visit our website to learn more.
