How O&G Operators Are Bridging the Digital Skills Gap

The oil and gas (O&G) industry is undergoing one of its most significant transitions in decades. From predictive maintenance and automation to advanced data analytics and robotics, operators across the sector are accelerating investment in digital technologies to remain competitive, safe, and sustainable.

Whether it's upstream exploration in the UK North Sea, midstream logistics in West Africa, or downstream refining in the Middle East, ageing assets and new performance expectations are putting pressure on operators to modernise quickly. Many existing facilities rely on legacy systems that no longer meet current demands. At the same time, rising ESG expectations and tighter margins mean companies must boost efficiency and cut costs without compromising safety.

But there’s a challenge. Most internal teams weren’t built for digital. The sector has historically prioritised mechanical, civil, and process engineering roles. Today, it needs data-literate engineers, control system specialists, and OT cybersecurity experts, and it needs them fast.

 In this blog, we explore how oil and gas businesses are closing their digital skills gaps and how Orion is helping them achieve this.

What Oil & Gas Companies Are Hiring For, and Why

Digital transformation in oil and gas is already underway. Operators aren’t planning for it; they’re doing it. They're upgrading SCADA systems, deploying predictive analytics platforms, and investing in smart field technologies. These projects need more than just IT support. They need people who understand both digital tools and the realities of the oilfield. That shift is changing how oil and gas recruitment works across the industry.

Across upstream, midstream, and downstream operations, companies are hiring for three major capability areas:

Automation and Controls

Professionals with experience in PLC, SCADA, and DCS platforms are in demand. These systems operate in high-risk, live environments where precision is non-negotiable. Engineers must have deep operational knowledge to handle offshore jobs, hazardous sites, and critical infrastructure.

Operational IT and Cybersecurity

As more equipment connects to cloud platforms, cybersecurity has become critical. Companies are looking for experts in OT security, legacy system protection, and industrial network resilience. Managing vulnerabilities in hybrid environments is now a key part of offshore recruitment.

Digital Programme Delivery

It’s not just about the tools. It’s about execution. Programme leads with experience in cross-functional delivery are essential. They work between technical and non-technical teams, manage vendors, ensure regulatory compliance, and prepare sites for rollout.

These roles aren’t necessarily new, but the expectations are higher. Engineers need to act on real-time data. Cybersecurity leads must navigate offshore regulations. Project managers are expected to connect digital tools to operational outcomes. Oil and gas recruitment agencies are having to shift focus to keep up.

To move quickly, many companies are building cross-functional delivery teams. A typical setup might include:

• A site-based automation lead
• A cybersecurity consultant
• A data analytics specialist
• A programme lead with sector experience

It’s less about job titles, more about proven capability. That makes the role of a specialist oil and gas recruiter even more important when building teams that can deliver.

Why Closing the Skills Gap Isn’t Simple

Most companies in the industry recognise the skills gap. But few realise just how difficult it is to close.

Transferability Is Limited

Digital talent from outside the industry doesn’t always transition well. A developer from tech or a controls engineer from manufacturing might lack the offshore recruitment knowledge or HSE experience critical for success. Oil and gas comes with its own language, standards, and risk profile. Technical credentials alone don’t cut it.

Upskilling Takes Time

Operators are trying to build from within. That includes certifying existing engineers in OT cybersecurity, training teams on new SCADA platforms, and embedding digital awareness across departments. But this takes time, and many organisations are already stretched thin by retirements, restructuring, and project backlogs.

Competition Is Fierce

The skills needed in oil and gas are also in demand in other sectors. Utilities, defence, renewables, and manufacturing are hiring for the same expertise. That puts pressure on hiring teams to offer flexible work models, interesting projects, and long-term development to stay competitive.

Contractors Can’t Do It All

Short-term hires can help kickstart change, but digital transformation isn’t a project with a deadline. It’s ongoing. To succeed, operators need embedded talent that can lead change, transfer knowledge, and support future capability-building. Companies must now adopt multi-track strategies – balancing permanent hires, contractor support, and internal development to build a sustainable talent pipeline.

If you're relying on a single strategy — training only, or contractors only — it’s time to rethink. The companies closing the gap are using multi-track models that combine recruitment, retention, and future-proof planning.

For a deeper dive into how automation is reshaping recruitment, see our blog: The Gap No One Is Talking About.

Four Ways O&G Companies Are Closing the Digital Talent Gap

To address the talent challenge, oil and gas operators are adapting their recruitment, training, and personnel management strategies. Here’s how:

1. Cross-Sector Recruitment

 O&G companies are increasingly looking outside their sector. That means hiring from manufacturing, defence, and utilities, where automation and digital tools are more embedded. Candidates with experience in SCADA systems, machine learning, or predictive maintenance in these sectors can often transition effectively.

Orion helps clients identify key transferable skills and assess compatibility with offshore and onshore operational needs. Our role as a specialist oil and gas recruitment agency means we understand what makes someone a safe, productive fit on site.

2. Upskilling Existing Teams

Some of the best digital transformation teams blend old and new. Legacy engineers are familiar with the plant, its risks, and the people. By training these employees in digital tools – from analytics software to cloud-connected sensors – companies can accelerate transformation while maintaining institutional knowledge.

Orion works with clients to plan structured upskilling roadmaps, identifying where existing teams can transition and where external support is needed.

3. Flexible Hiring: Contractors & Interim Roles

Not every role requires a full-time hire. Interim professionals, project contractors, and consultancy partners can deliver short-term expertise while internal capabilities are being built. This approach is particularly useful for:

• Cybersecurity risk assessments
• Pilot automation deployments
• Digital system migrations

As a leading oil and gas recruitment agency, Orion maintains a network of vetted specialists ready for flexible engagement across global locations.

4. Partnering with Specialist Recruiters

Generalist recruiters often lack access to niche digital talent with sector-specific experience. Orion brings deep industry knowledge, technical understanding, and cross-border reach to every project. Our teams operate across Europe, the US, and the Middle East, giving clients access to active, relevant candidates fast.

Whether it’s a SCADA engineer in Aberdeen or a digital programme manager in Houston, we connect companies with professionals who can deliver in complex energy environments.

Addressing the Gap Now Means Avoiding Bigger Problems Later

Digitalisation in oil and gas isn’t a trend – it’s a necessity. Companies that fail to address the digital skills gap risk increased downtime, higher costs, missed ESG targets, and declining competitiveness. The solution lies in acting early.

Operators that rethink how they recruit, train, and partner can build transformation-ready teams. But that requires acknowledging the scale of the challenge and making hiring decisions aligned with future needs, not just current vacancies.

Orion’s Orbit Commissioning Software: Supporting the Digital Journey

Digital transformation isn’t just about people – it’s also about tools. That’s why Orion Group has developed its own completions and commissioning software: Orbit Commissioning Software - OCCMS.

 Orbit is a state-of-the-art completions and commissioning management system developed in-house to support our clients across energy, clean energy, life sciences, defence, built environment and mining. It brings maximum usability, flexibility, and control to the delivery of complex capital projects.

Why Orbit?

Orbit Commissioning Software (OCCMS) supports large-scale oil and gas projects with a fully digital approach to completions and commissioning. Developed by Orion, it’s already in use across global energy markets and is supported by a UK-based technical team.

What it offers:

• Paperless completions

Digital check sheets, workpacks, punch list tracking, and handover dossiers in one secure platform.

• Advanced work packaging

Quickly generates and approves digital workpacks to streamline site activity.

• Procedure management

Simplifies the creation, approval, and execution of commissioning processes.

• API integration

Connects with other systems to avoid duplication and support real-time reporting.

• Electronic handovers

Automatically generates complete handover dossiers for faster and cleaner project closeouts.

• Competency-based access

Assigns role-specific permissions to maintain oversight and accountability.

• Preservation and joint integrity tools

Helps manage asset care and QA across complex equipment or infrastructure.

Orbit is fully configurable for greenfield builds, brownfield upgrades, and decommissioning projects. It can be deployed via desktop or web and hosted either internally or externally.

To learn how Orbit can support your project delivery and complement Orion’s wider commissioning and oil and gas recruitment services, contact the OCCMS team.

Work with Orion to Build Your Digital Workforce

Orion is a global leader in oil and gas recruitment, with proven experience delivering automation, IT, and programme talent across upstream, midstream, and downstream operations. From permanent hires to project contractors, we help clients reduce time-to-hire, ensure cultural fit, and access hard-to-find expertise.

If your business is planning a digital transformation or struggling to recruit the right talent, we can help.

Get in touch with our team to start building your digital workforce.