The Middle East experienced a significant increase in oil and gas exploration and production in the 1970s, leading to a growth in the expatriate community. International energy companies relied on skilled expatriates to take advantage of the opportunities in the region. However, despite this influx of foreign workers, the transfer of skills and knowledge to local employees has not been achieved. As national oil companies seek to expand globally and countries face the need to employ their educated population, there is a pressing need to address this skills gap. This paper examines the shortfall and proposes actions to ensure a transformation in the future.
