Returning nationals and the oil and gas industry

Employees within the oil and gas industry have always moved from job to job between countries and have always been open to it. However, in an age of increasing visa restrictions in some regions, Hydrogen have noticed that companies are having to look at different ways of finding the right skill sets. This has included attracting back domestic professionals that have international experience.

The study
The above has been discovered after a study called Global Professionals on the Move 2013 was carried out earlier this year. It looked specifically at movements, attitudes and priorities of high earning professionals with regards to working abroad. 42% of the oil and gas respondents said they saw no barriers with regards to working abroad. Yet, those that did see a barrier, 23% said the primary barrier was visa restrictions. Companies in countries where visas are hard to come by are now turning to what have been dubbed ‘return homers’, home grown professionals who have worked abroad. They are being welcomed to fill the gap being created by stringent immigrated rules that prevent some professionals from going abroad.

Asia
The trend has been particularly noted in Asia. In India, one of the country’s leading oil and gas companies is a prime example, according to the study, and is seeking talent to return home. The company is in need of people with international exposure but it has to balance this with a commitment to hire Indian nationals, which means that employing ‘return homers’ is an attractive alternative to traditional expats.

Comments on the findings
"It’s striking that the countries which people from the oil and gas industry most want to work in are the US, Australia and Brazil. These countries are popular because of the volume of cutting edge projects that are available but they also have strict visa restrictions. In these circumstances, ‘return homers’ are becoming an increasingly valuable option for many companies. These people are already familiar with the industrial and cultural landscape of their home country yet have the prized international experience that will add variety, fresh perspective and new skills to a company," said Ivan Jackson, Managing Director of Hydrogen’s oil and gas practice.

Jackon added, "where there is a growing demand for talent in the industry, return homers are exceptionally valuable because their international experience and skill set is coupled with a cultural understanding which is critical to doing business in the region."

Adapted from press release by Claira Lloyd

Read the article online at: https://www.oilfieldtechnology.com/exploration/06112013/return_oil_gas_homers/