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The Boardroom Insights Series: North American Refining 2026/27 brings together insights from senior refining leaders across North America to examine the trends shaping the industry’s future. 

This article focuses on workforce transformation, knowledge retention and the growing importance of long-term talent strategy as the sector navigates generational change and evolving employee expectations.

As the refining industry continues to evolve, workforce capability is emerging as one of the sector’s most significant long-term challenges. 

During discussions with the NARTC Advisory Board, leaders highlighted growing concerns around knowledge retention, succession planning and attracting the next generation of talent as experienced professionals retire and workforce expectations continue to shift. 

A common concern for the Board is the loss of institutional knowledge as experienced professionals retire.  

AI is seen as a potential tool to help capture expertise, but not as a complete replacement for an operator’s judgement or critical thinking.  

At the same time, workforce expectations are evolving. Younger generations are more digitally savvy, place a greater emphasis feeling on a sense of purpose at work, sustainability and career development.  

If organizations fail to provide the right technology, governance and opportunities, employees may seek alternative roles in other industries. 

It was agreed that talent strategy should be considered a refining fundamental and therefore, companies must create structured environments that encourage innovation whilst maintaining security, governance and operational integrity. 

“Talent strategy should be considered a refining fundamental “

Join senior downstream executives, refiners and technology leaders at the North American Refining Technology Conference (NARTC) to explore the operational, commercial and digital priorities shaping the industry’s future.