The Middle Eastern oil and gas industry is still highly dependent on foreign workers with over half of the industry’s labour force coming from the expatriate community according to latest research released by international jobs board OilCareers.com.

The research, commissioned by OilCareers.com from leading oil and gas analysts Douglas-Westwood, indicates that the trend is unlikely to change in the short to medium term as the region looks to meet project demand, despite various educational initiatives by the UAE to increase the proportion of nationals entering the private sector.

OilCareers.com managing director, Mark Guest said: “These latest findings are certainly exciting for job seekers. For those already based in the Middle East, it opens up wide ranging possibilities for career progression and change. For those looking to experience work in an area with attractive employment packages and stable prospects, this is an excellent time to capitalise on the available opportunities.”

The research also indicates that recent new investment and developments in the region, most notably from brownfield projects in Iraq and the exploration of the deepwater Tamarfield offshore Israel, are having a major impact on the number of jobs in the Middle East with new projects like these expected to contribute 58% of the total jobs market.

Tags: OilCareers.com