By David Lavallee and Ruth Lavallee
In a previous article [1] we outlined how human capital is expected to soon surpass financial capital as a key driver of economic development within the oil sector, coinciding with a widening global skills gap in the industry.
To help contribute to a solution, we partnered with the Ghana Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors to research how skills that elite athletes develop through sports can progress economic development in the oil sector.
In the first phase of our research [1], we showed that elite athletes transitioning from the sport of football to the oil sector bring valuable skills, including:
- Collaboration and Communication
- Leadership and Strategic Planning
- Decision-Making and Risk Management
- Negotiation, Creativity, and Emotional Intelligence
The second phase of the research project, reported in this article, involved conducting a series of interviews with individuals working in the oil sector in Ghana who had previously played elite football. These interviews, based on earlier research [2, 3, 4], focused on how the key skills acquired in sport are adapted and transferred to the oil industry. The workers represented all major job roles in the oil and gas sector [5].
The interview participants had diverse experiences in both sport and their current professional role, providing a wide perspective on the mechanisms of skill transfer and their impact on professional success in the oil industry.
Following analysis of the qualitative data, four specific ways through which key skills are transferred from sport to the oil industry were identified. These mechanisms – Role Models, Onboarding, Skills Development, and Environmental Factors – can provide valuable insights for how the oil and other extractive sectors can benefit from the skills of elite athletes.
- Role Models
Many participants reported how their transition from sport to the world of work was facilitated through the proactive support of mentors and role models who guided them in applying their skills in new contexts. Importantly, these role models were available to the individual in both football and in the oil industry.
- Onboarding
Interviewees highlighted the importance of onboarding and training programmes provided by their employers. This support, which was often informal at the onboarding phase, helped them transfer their sport-specific skills to the technical demands of the oil industry.
- Skills Development
Opportunities for professional skills development were emphasised as essential in being able to adapt the skills learned in football to meet the demands of their roles in the oil industry. By tailoring training to the specific needs of the oil industry, these programmes can ensure that former athletes not only retain their core skills but also develop the technical knowledge necessary to contribute effectively to the sector, enhancing productivity and innovation within the industry.
- Environmental Factors
A work culture that values teamwork, safety, and strategic planning was found to be conducive to the transfer of skills from football, where similar values are emphasised. Participants noted that the cultural compatibility between these domains made it easier to apply their sports-acquired skills in their new roles. This cultural compatibility can support economic development by ensuring that former athletes can quickly adapt in new industries, thereby enhancing workforce efficiency and driving sectoral growth. The smooth transition of these individuals into the oil industry can also help to create a more resilient and versatile workforce.
Insights
By recognising the potential of key skills from domains such as elite sport, the Ghanaian downstream oil sector is helping to bolster the industry’s human capital and contribute to the adaptability and resilience of the workforce. Other extractive sectors could benefit from similar approaches to recruiting, integrating and retaining athletes into their industries.
- Recruitment
Develop a targeted recruitment approach to attract and recruit former elite athletes with the potential to excel in the industry. Identify potential candidates nearing retirement from sport through partners, including in the football industry. Recruitment campaigns could also focus on the relevance of athletes’ skills, and potentially include testimonials from former athletes already working in the industry to attract new candidates. Human Resources Departments could also consider adapting the application and/or interview processes in order to evaluate both technical capability and key transferable skills acquired through sports.
- Integration
Facilitate the effective adaptation of sports-acquired skills to the specific technical and operational demands of the industry. Provide a comprehensive orientation that introduces former athletes to the industry’s operation, highlighting relevant parallels with sports (including, for example, teamwork, strategic planning and risk management). This orientation could be followed by specific technical training to build the necessary industry knowledge. Former athletes could be paired with a mentor who has experience in both the oil industry and sports, if possible, and peer groups could be established so former athletes can share strategies for adapting to their new roles. This would help support the integration of former athletes into the workforce.
- Retention
Ensure retention of former athletes within the industry by ensuring they have a clear career path and opportunities for career growth. Assign roles, where relevant, that align with the athlete’s strengths and potential for growth, such as roles requiring leadership and teamwork. Encourage participation in cross-functional projects to broaden the athletes’ understanding of the industry and enhance their skill set.
Utilising the skills of former elite athletes can enhance the human capital within the oil and other extractive sectors, fostering a more adaptable and resilient workforce. By recognising and leveraging their keys skills, these industries can play a vital role in driving sustainable growth and contributing to economic development.
This project is led by Abertay University in Scotland, in collaboration with the Ghana Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors and is supported by International Science Partnership Funding.
Sources
- Lavallee, D. and Lavallee R., 2024. Game changers: How athletes’ sports skills can help promote economic development in Ghana’s oil industry. AfricaBusiness.com https://africabusiness.com/2024/06/11/game-changers-how-athletes-sports-skills-can-help-promote-economic-development-in-ghanas-oil-industry/
- Aston, P.R., Brewer, M.A., Kieschnick, D.W., Allen, M.C., van Roessel, P.J., Lavallee, D.E. and Rodriguez, C.I., 2024. Identity gripping or identity flight? Two distinct experiences correlated with self-reported depression in retired professional ice hockey players. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 22, pp.70-91. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1612197X.2022.2152853
- Harrison, J. R., Hsu, A., Markette, N., Dudleston, J., and Lavallee, D., 2023. Athletic identity and career engagement as predictors of mental well-being in North American professional athletes. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 22, pp. 1516-1528. https://doi.org/10.1080/1612197X.2023.2229353
- Pummell, E. K. L., & Lavallee, D., 2019. Preparing U.K. tennis players for the junior-to-senior transition: Development, implementation, and evaluation of an intervention program. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 40, pp. 156-164. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2018.07.007
- Pegram, J., Falcone, G. and Kolios, A., 2020. Job role localisation in the oil and gas industry: a case study of Ghana. The Extractive Industries and Society, 7, pp.328-336. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exis.2019.08.003