Lloyd’s Register (LR) has pledged a donation to Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP), a US non-profit organization that connects wounded veterans with free, life-changing programs and services. The donation of $1,000 was made following a fundraising event attended by LR customers coinciding with the OTC Houston oil and gas week in Texas in May.
The fundraising initiative, held at the Houstonian Hotel in Texas, attracted a strong attendance from a number of US and international oil and gas representatives, and LR gift matched customer donations to bring in even more funds for the charity.
Since 2003, WWP has been transforming the way America’s injured veterans are empowered, employed, and engaged in American communities.
“We’re committed to helping all injured veterans achieve their highest ambition,” says WWP CEO Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Mike Linnington. “Because of the generosity of our supporters, WWP can ensure our warriors never pay a penny for our programs – because they paid their dues on the battlefield. Our free services in mental health, career counselling, and long-term rehabilitative care change lives. We’re grateful for the support of Lloyd’s Register and their dedication to the work that we do, and their thoughtful, strategic approach to getting more people involved in our cause, will help us raise awareness and new support.”
LR and the IADC partnered with WWP in early 2015 to provide meaningful employment opportunities for injured service members while working on the development of WellSharp, IADC’s revised well control training and assessment program. The program required the use of a proctor, or invigilator, to monitor test takers.
“This program, managed by LR, makes IADC the biggest employer in the Warriors to Work Program. And, unlike with other third-party contract employment, if a training provider wants to hire a proctor for a permanent position in their company, they are able to do so,” says Linnington.
LR’s Project Manager for Inspection Services, Michael Rogers, highlights: “It’s an incredible opportunity for possible long-term employment for these veterans.”
Through WellSharp, IADC is not only improving well control training for the global drilling industry but also improving the lives of injured veterans in the US. As many as 200+ exams are proctored every month in the US and WWP participate in proctoring these exams on behalf of LR.
LR adopted this approach to help create a high level of goodwill externally and internally. “Employees themselves want to work at companies that are engaged in a broader social good and making the community better,” says Rogers from LR. “Our employees and management take servant leadership very seriously – it is ingrained in the way we look at the world.
“While it hasn’t been an easy period in the oil and gas industry, we continue to support charities such as WWP in new ways and that we have historically supported. No matter what economic cycle we are in and the challenges we face as a commercial organisation, LR’s approach to philanthropy is still so important to the community as a whole. We are extremely pleased to support WWP, and want to thank our customers for their support in the fundraising event in May.”
