Hays Oil & Gas
January - March 2012
CHINA Hotspots
In China's oil and gas market the majority of companies are currently in commissioning stages therefore for upstream experienced Drilling, Completion, Geoscience, Contract Procurement, Logistics and Production candidates are being sought.
In the downstream market demand exists for Sales Management, Technical Coach, Brand Communication and Operations Management specialists.
Much of this demand is driven by fast growing petrochemical companies who continue to expand through M&A projects. Furthermore sales management candidates are always highly sought as companies look to continually bolster and develop their sales teams.
Overcoming skills shortages
Companies are seeking to partner with more recruitment agencies to cope with the deep candidate shortage but this means reducing the number of service providers they work with for the purpose of a better company image. The use of temporary hiring is also being adopted to fill gaps for urgent openings.
The coming quarter
New positions will be created this quarter as International Oil Companies (IOC) increase their investment in China. Most of these openings will be on a permanent basis.
Employer trends
Companies are looking to attract and recruit more skilled candidates through recruitment agencies but in the meantime their requirements are less critical.
Replacing high level employees with Chinese candidates is high on the agenda of IOCs in China with projects in Central China and South China Sea to be expanded. Downstream companies are expressing more interest in former employees of state owned companies or those who are well connected to state owned companies. IOCs in China prefer Chinese candidates with overseas experience rather than foreigners.
Candidate trends
Candidates are realising their value and commanding higher salaries and better packages. There is a good flow of candidate movement in the market as they seek new opportunities. Highly specialised candidates are finding themselves snapped up very quickly as employers needed them for very specific project areas.
