The future of petrochemicals: Which academic disciplines to pursue today for tomorrow's market demand.
In the fast-paced world of petrochemicals, traditional roles are being replaced with tech-savvy ones, mirroring transformations in other high-tech industries. Today, petrochemicals is an intersection of engineering, chemistry, IT, and production management, with specialists who can combine these disciplines in innovative ways being highly sought after.
Industry experts predict that in the next 3-5 years, those who can seamlessly blend chemical and technological processes with a knack for digital modeling, data analysis, and real-time production understanding will play a crucial role. This is not limited to programming professionals but extends to engineers with a broader perspective who can communicate with IT architects, operators, and technologists.
Basic technical skills are essential, but soft skills, such as the ability to learn, take initiative, think critically, foster a safety culture, and work well in teams, remain paramount. With the integration of artificial intelligence and digital platforms in production chains, the demand for these qualities will undoubtedly increase.
Major companies like SIBUR are working proactively to nurture the next generation of petrochemical specialists. They partner with universities and colleges, launch joint educational programs, offer teacher training, and update relevant disciplines. Over 2,300 students annually participate in SIBUR's practical training, and more than 1,500 graduates find their first job with the company.
The company also organizes internships on production sites, conducts career events, and develops targeted training and mentoring programs. Young specialists are involved in project activities from the get-go, sharing proposals, and building horizontal careers. This collaborative approach is becoming standard in the industry, focusing on initiative, adaptability, and readiness for new challenges.
For those keen on long-term careers in the industry, engineering and chemical fields are the primary focus. Strong programs can be found at institutions like Satbayev University, KBTU, Al-Farabi KazNU, Nazarbayev University, and regionally, the Atyrau Oil and Gas University named after S. Utebayev. Among colleges, APEC PetroTechnic in Atyrau and the Caspian "Bolashak" College in Aktau provide a solid foundation. However, it's crucial to supplement specialized education with practical experience, internships, and related disciplines to become sought-after.
Career paths can develop in various directions, with classic tracks like engineer-technologist evolving into leading engineer or shift/section chief. An IT focus can lead to roles like automation specialist, IIoT/SCADA engineer, or digitalization project manager. Research and development (R&D) roles, like scientific laboratory work or new polymer development, and hybrid business-technology roles, like product analysis or planning engineer, are also emerging. Career growth here depends on acquiring new competencies quickly, participating in projects, and taking on coordinating roles.
Today's engineer or production worker is no longer just an executor but a full participant in the intellectual process. They wield digital tools, understand IT architecture, grasp product economics, and can propose innovative solutions. By integrating digital technologies, project management, and entrepreneurial approaches, even traditional production roles are evolving. The term "blue-collar workers" is giving way to "orange-collar workers" - specialists combining engineering backgrounds with systemic thinking and broad professional expertise.
Despite the prevalent assumption that artificial intelligence will soon displace entire professions, engineers remain indispensable. Production processes may be automated, but it's humans who manage these systems. For instance, the Amur Gas Chemical Complex has implemented over 150 IT solutions, making it nearly staffless, yet highly capable, with highly qualified engineers in charge.
Chemical Engineering is a dynamic and transformative production system, presenting not just jobs but opportunities for young professionals to partake in long-term changes. From reliable processing to digital transformation, from future materials to automated risk analysis, the sector offers a wealth of possibilities for growth. For lasting professional growth today, a diploma and ambition aren't sufficient; discipline is key: a readiness to learn throughout one's career, mental flexibility, and understanding that competence is a journey, not a destination.
Those who are ready to work at the intersection of professions, combining engineering, analytics, and systems thinking, will be in demand tomorrow. And chemical engineering is precisely the field where this combination is the norm.
- In the next few years, expertise in blending technological processes with chemical engineering knowledge will be highly valuable not only for programming professionals but also for engineers who can work seamlessly with IT architects, operators, and technologists.
- The petrochemical industry, much like finance, education-and-self-development, and technology sectors, emphasizes soft skills such as learning ability, initiative, critical thinking, teamwork, and safety culture, in addition to technical proficiency, as these qualities will increasingly be in demand with the integration of artificial intelligence and digital platforms.
