What it does: Global group of petrochemical and energy businesses
Staff stats: 93,000 employees in 70 countries (2,000 Australian employees)
The good bits: Great training and development, commitment to diversity and inclusion
The not so good bits: Bureaucracy
Hiring grads with degrees in: All Engineering, Science and Environment, Commercial
The Shell Story
Royal Dutch Shell, known as Shell, is the result of one of the 20th century’s earliest and most significant mergers. In 1907, the Royal Dutch Petroleum Company joined forces with the ‘Shell’ Transport and Trading Company. Interesting fact: This was a British business that had pivoted from selling antiques to importing seashells.
During WWI, Royal Dutch Shell was the main supplier of fuel to the British armed forces. Following the war, it absorbed the Mexican Eagle Petroleum Company and launched Shell Chemicals. By the end of the 1920s, Royal Dutch Shell was the world’s leading oil company, a status it has enjoyed ever since, though it has diversified into producing other forms of energy.
Shell has been operating in Australia since 1901. Initially, it just imported fuel, then expanded by establishing storage and distribution terminals, oil refineries, and service stations. Shell built Australia’s first kerbside petrol pumps and for over 90-years invested in fuels that helped Australians drive kids to school, get to work and go on holiday. When it became apparent that Australia had significant energy reserves, Shell Australia moved into coal mining and oil exploration. Shell is currently the leading partner in the $25 billion North West Shelf Venture, which was built using Shell technology and is the largest resource development ever undertaken in this part of the world.
Shell Australia has a record of investing in large projects, including the Clyde Refinery in Western Sydney, the Geelong Refinery in regional Victoria, and WA’s Chevron-operated Gorgon LNG Project, which have had a material impact on the development and growth of the Australian economy over the last century.
At present, Shell’s major operations in Australia are Prelude FLNG and the QGC business.
The Prelude development is a Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) facility located 475 kilometres offshore from Broome, Western Australia.
Shell is the operator and 75% interest holder in the QGC venture which produces natural gas from wells drilled into onshore coal seams in the Surat Basin.
Shell Australia has recently begun to transition its Australian operations towards renewable energy sources. It has undertaken a number of acquisitions in the solar energy space and has announced plans to invest roughly $5 billion over the next two years in green energy sources. Most recently, Shell has acquired 100% of Sonnen, a leader in smart energy storage systems and innovative energy services for households.
In 2018, Shell had revenues of US$388.4 billion and assets worth US$399.2 billion.
The culture
Shell is enthusiastic about ensuring diversity in the ethnicity, nationality, and gender of its workforce and senior leaders. Shell conducts a formal, worldwide survey of staff to understand how our business is tracking from a staff engagement point of view and it is incredibly detailed. It also has a dedicated D&I [diversity and inclusion] consulting practice with focal points located in various Shell businesses and functions. The company puts on D&I workshops and lunch-and-learn sessions to raise awareness amongst staff.
Social contribution
Shell acknowledges that its activities have an environmental and social impact. It seeks to provide communities that have not previously had access to safe, reliable, and affordable energy, and to contribute to economic growth in the countries it operates in. It does this by offering direct employment and the opportunity for local suppliers to be included in supply chains.
Shell works across many regional areas of Australia, and we want to give back to the communities that host our business. There are a number of ways we do this: we create local jobs, we employ local apprentices and trainees, we buy from local businesses, we add to local infrastructure and we support local communities. We call this support ‘Social Investment’, and we do this because we know that what’s good for local communities is good for us too. Strong and diverse local economies benefit everyone. For Shell, they keep supply chains short and create a stronger labour market for local hire. For communities, they create jobs, keep rural towns vibrant and help attract new residents.
Shell is committed to sustainability. It has made huge investments in low-carbon energy solutions and advanced technologies, such as those that increase energy efficiency and reduce emissions.Remuneration
Star Rating: 4.4 stars
"About Shell
There has never been a more exciting time to work in the energy industry.
With a career at Shell, you’ll have a part to play in uniquely innovative projects which will provide unbeatable experience.
At Shell, we believe everyone has a part to play in the global transition to cleaner energy. We’re looking for students and graduates, whose energy and passion for change can help us provide more and cleaner energy to the world.
We have a range of opportunities including Assessed Internships and Graduate Programmes for you to explore. No matter your discipline, you’ll have the chance to work on meaningful projects that directly impact our business, and the wider world. Discover your potential and join us on our journey to develop tomorrow’s energy solutions today.
What does Shell offer?
Diversity & Inclusion at Shell
Across Shell Australia, we believe we can power progress together if we have a culture where different perspectives are encouraged and considered. We aim to reflect the community in which we live and work: diverse and wholly inclusive of all people regardless of background, sexual orientation, ethnicity, age, gender, or any other attribute or choice. To achieve this, we aim to build a culture which encourages our people to thrive and be the best that they can be.
Shell Australia is committed to creating an inclusive working environment that respects and nurtures diversity. We acknowledge that supporting diversity in the workforce is not just socially responsible, but also makes good business sense and is a source of strength for improving our business performance.
Shell Australia’s approach to diversity and inclusion is focused on talent acquisition and retention, inclusive leadership and by differentiating our external reputation. Our leaders are role models for diversity and take accountability for delivery and for sustaining change. Shell Australia is committed to ensuring our energy portfolio is attractive to both partners and customers by nurturing a diverse workforce that reflects the diversity of our partners, customers and the countries in which we operate.
Commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
At Shell Australia, we acknowledge that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are Australia’s First Peoples and the traditional owners and custodians of the land on which we work. Shell Australia is committed to building meaningful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities based on honesty, integrity and respect.
Shell Australia Supports LGBTI via Kaleidoscope
Kaleidoscope is an established employee network within Shell Australia. Kaleidoscope aims to promote equality and inclusion for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersexed (LGBTI) talent wherever they work. The vision is to make Shell Australia a safe environment for talent, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Shell Australia believes it is vital that we have strong ally support in the network, as this will greatly affect the productivity, retention, engagement, and mental health within the company.
Shell Australia Supports PWDs and Caregivers via enABLE
To support our employees with disabilities and their caregivers, the enABLE Network—providing people with disabilities or people whose lives have been touched by those with disabilities, an open forum to engage and share experiences. Through this open discussion, the network raises awareness and understanding of the challenges faced so that line managers and colleagues have the knowledge to support those with disabilities to thrive in the workplace. It allows employees with disabilities the opportunity to improve the work environment to make it more inclusive for all.
At Shell, we recognise people for their talents, understanding that people with disabilities have unique strengths that we can learn from and leverage to move the company forward. We understand that innovation requires diverse perspectives and that we need different kinds of thinking to thrive as an organisation and reach our goals."
Shell recruits graduates from a wide range of disciplines. That noted, it has a greater need for those with degrees in Wells, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering: Electrical Engineering, Static Engineering, Process Engineering, Upstream Production Engineering, Offshore Engineering, Materials Engineering, Pipelines, Flow Assurance, Subsea, Utilities & Energy and Heat Transfer, and Health, Safety, Environment, and Security.
Handily, you can go to the degree matcher page on the Shell Australia website to find out what kind of career path is available given your qualifications.
Depending on what area of the business they aspire to be part of, grads take part in development programs that last from two to five years. Grads are divided into those joining the technical and those joining the commercial side of the business. Whichever side you opt for, you’ll take part in a comprehensive onboarding program that will expose you to all areas of the business. Graduate hires may go on rotations and combine on-the-job learning with formal training, that might even take you bi-coastal! You’ll have a direct supervisor who will provide supportive guidance, constructive feedback, and access to a mentorship program.
The process starts with a brief online application that can be expedited if connected to your LinkedIn profile. After, you will need to do an online timed cognitive test, online working style assessment, and an online short, self-recorded video interview that Shell calls the “On-Demand Video Interview”. If you make the cut, you’ll then be invited to take part in an online interview. This will include doing a presentation relating to a case study, with two Shell assessors.
Finally, you will be invited to a nearby Shell office to meet with staff at all levels and learn more about what a career at Shell involves. Should you wish to get an idea of whether you’d be happy at Shell prior to graduating, you can apply for one of Shell’s 12-week assessed internships.
Shell says it offers a competitive starting salary and other benefits. Most grads are delighted with what one described as “great bonuses on top of amazing pay”. You may have the opportunity to work on global projects.
Career prospects
The company has a fair and transparent promotion process. If you perform well and develop strong networks, you can look forward to going up the ranks. Shell values performance.
The vibe of the place
This varies depending on what area of the business you’re in. Shell invests a lot in developing its employees. It gives them a lot of responsibility from early on and rewards them if they rise to the challenges set. You can expect to form fantastic friendships with your colleagues and spend plenty of time socialising with them out of office hours. The culture is friendly and respectful, and perks such as ‘flex days’ make up for those times when you need to put in long hours.