The Hays Oil & Gas Global Job Index for Q3 2013 has revealed that oil and gas companies in Africa have been working to reduce their dependency on expatriate employees, looking instead to employ local workers
According to the index, there was an increase in demand for in-country skills linked to the operation and maintenance of assets across the continent from July to September 2013.
The study said there has been a definite trend towards reducing dependence on expatriates throughout Africa, but noted that the local market still has a great deal of catching up to do if it is to bridge the existing skills gap with local workers alone.
The report also said there has been a logical progression in terms of skill-set emphasis, with skills associated with exploration lessening in demand, while those linked to areas such as pipelines, drilling and project management experiencing greater demand, especially in the north.
For example, the average salary of senior drilling professionals in Africa is now US$114,888, while senior project managers now earn an average of US$124,833, according to the index.
The report said that, as a whole, the region’s labour market has remained largely stable, with eyes still firmly on Africa as an emerging geography and a significant potential resource.
