Open office format fosters continuous opportunities for cross-departmental development. Very encouraging management provides daily affirmation of a job well done. Everyone collaborates while sharing expertise whenever challenges arise, creating an environment where all questions are valid so eventually all challenges may be met.
Cons
Infrequent opportunities for advancement. When the oil & gas industries are down and production is diminished, the tension in the air can generally bring down the mood at the office. Sometimes cross-training is not an intuitive development, and many smaller tasks are completed in a "sink-or-swim" manner.