Natural Resources Human Capital Challenges in Latin America

Sustained worldwide demand for natural resources iseventually enter into a new downturn in the economy,"
pushing investment in oil and gas exploration andVelaochaga says. "The challenge thus is to harmonize
production, mining and alternative natural resourcesboth perspectives avoiding the 'over expectation'
such as wind and solar while the pace of research insyndrome that could put compensation packages at
new and renewable energy sciences continues tolevels that are not sustainable."
elevate.He says natural resources companies across Latin
But one challenge transcends national borders. It alsoAmerica are facing pressure to recruit and retain
presents a strikingly similar long-term growth barrier forpersonnel in general, not only at the top executive
nearly all of the world's leading natural resourceslevels. Some companies have taken steps to improve
companies – that is, the scarcity of human capitalworking conditions at sites while others have
and skilled leadership talent.implemented new human resource policies to help
Looking ahead to the issues that will frame manyattract new talent into their workforce.
Natural Resources challenges across the LatinVelaochaga explains that these new approaches to
America region, Jorge Velaochaga, managing partnerworkforce engagement and retention have put natural
for TRANSEARCH Peru and Regional Director forresources managers into a position from which they
Latin America, says the business cycle will inevitablyare building teams, inviting innovative ideas from the
bring change.workforce and engaging in honest dialogue about
"The industry will continue growing but companies andcareer progression within their workforces.
top executives should be cautious since we might