Vision 2030 — A New Era for Saudi Arabia’s Energy Workforce
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 represents a bold blueprint for the Kingdom’s future — one that diversifies its economy beyond oil while empowering local talent and modernizing the energy sector.
But even as Saudi Arabia looks toward renewable and digital transformation, the Oil & Gas industry remains the backbone of this change.
And at the heart of this evolution lies one key element — manpower.
This article explores how Vision 2030 is transforming Saudi Arabia’s oil and gas workforce, reshaping everything from training and recruitment to localization and technology adoption.
⚙️ The Role of Oil & Gas in Vision 2030
Although Vision 2030 aims to diversify the economy, oil and gas will continue to fuel progress — both literally and figuratively.
Saudi Arabia remains the world’s largest crude exporter and a global leader in energy innovation.
The goal is not to reduce oil’s importance, but to make it smarter, more efficient, and more sustainable.
This means:
- Investing in digitalization and automation of refineries
- Expanding gas exploration and downstream projects
- Enhancing workforce localization (Saudization)
- Building human capital for future-ready operations
🛢️ The transformation isn’t about replacing oil — it’s about reimagining how the oil and gas sector works in a digital future.
👷♂️ The Workforce Challenge Before Vision 2030
Before the implementation of Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia’s oil and gas manpower sector faced several key challenges:
- High Dependence on Expat Workers
- Over 70% of the technical workforce was foreign.
- Skill Gaps in Advanced Operations
- Limited local expertise in specialized roles like instrumentation, inspection, and HSE.
- Limited Female Participation
- Minimal representation of women in energy-related fields.
- Manual-Heavy Processes
- Traditional maintenance and inspection practices with low digital adoption.
These challenges inspired one of Vision 2030’s strongest mandates — empower local talent and digitize industrial operations.
🌍 How Vision 2030 Is Changing the Oil & Gas Manpower Landscape
🔹 1. Saudization (Local Workforce Empowerment)
The Human Capability Development Program (HCDP) under Vision 2030 focuses on training and employing Saudi nationals in technical and leadership roles.
Oil and gas companies are now required to maintain minimum Saudization ratios, leading to:
- Creation of training academies and apprenticeship programs
- Collaboration with TVTC (Technical and Vocational Training Corporation)
- Long-term employment for Saudi technicians and engineers
👨🔧 AL AJMII actively supports Saudization by integrating local workers into project-based manpower plans while offering international skill transfer programs.
🔹 2. Digitalization and Smart Workforce Training
Saudi Arabia’s energy sector is embracing Industry 4.0 technologies — AI, IoT, robotics, and predictive maintenance.
As a result, manpower requirements are shifting from purely physical to tech-enabled roles, such as:
- Control room automation specialists
- Data-driven maintenance engineers
- Remote monitoring technicians
Government-backed initiatives like NEOM Industrial City and Aramco’s Digital Transformation Program are leading this evolution.
📡 The future oilfield will be managed by smart, data-driven manpower — not just muscle and machinery.
🔹 3. Gender Inclusion in Energy Workforce
Vision 2030 promotes women’s participation in all sectors, including Oil & Gas.
Aramco and other companies now run targeted programs for female engineers, safety officers, and lab technicians, breaking old industry stereotypes.
👩🔬 The Saudi oil and gas industry is becoming more inclusive, encouraging women to play vital roles in operations, research, and innovation.
🔹 4. Strategic Collaboration Between Private Sector & Manpower Suppliers
To meet Vision 2030’s manpower goals, Saudi Arabia relies on strategic manpower partnerships.
Trusted suppliers like AL AJMII TRADING AND CONTRACTING W.L.L play a critical role by:
- Providing trained, safety-certified manpower
- Assisting in on-site training and skill transfer
- Ensuring compliance with Aramco and government standards
Such partnerships help bridge immediate skill shortages while preparing the next generation of Saudi talent.
🔹 5. Focus on Sustainability and Green Energy Skills
As Vision 2030 pushes for renewable integration, oil and gas projects are also expected to adopt environmental sustainability practices.
This shift requires manpower trained in:
- Energy efficiency audits
- Waste management and emission control
- Green drilling technologies
🌱 The new oil and gas workforce must be both technically skilled and environmentally conscious.
🧠 AL AJMII’s Role in Supporting Vision 2030’s Manpower Goals
AL AJMII TRADING AND CONTRACTING W.L.L is proud to align its oil and gas manpower services in Saudi Arabia with the objectives of Vision 2030.
Our approach includes:
✅ Supporting Saudization quotas by recruiting and training local talent
✅ Deploying certified foreign experts for high-tech operations
✅ Conducting continuous skill upgrades for workers
✅ Ensuring zero accident safety compliance
✅ Providing manpower for Aramco, SABIC, and NEOM projects
We are not just manpower providers — we are partners in Saudi Arabia’s energy transformation journey.
📊 The Future Outlook: Vision 2030 and Beyond
By 2030, Saudi Arabia aims to create one of the most technically advanced oil and gas workforces in the world.
According to Aramco and Ministry of Energy projections:
- Over 100,000 new oil & gas jobs will be created for Saudi citizens
- Automation and AI will reduce manual workload by 40%
- Renewable energy integration will open new hybrid manpower sectors
🚀 The oil and gas manpower of tomorrow will be smarter, safer, and more sustainable than ever before.
❓ FAQs: Saudi Vision 2030 Oil & Gas Manpower
Q1: What is the impact of Vision 2030 on oil & gas manpower?
A1: Vision 2030 emphasizes localization, digital training, and diversification — creating smarter and more sustainable manpower systems.
Q2: How are manpower suppliers adapting to Vision 2030?
A2: Leading companies like AL AJMII focus on Saudization, HSE training, and advanced technical upskilling for oil and gas workers.
Q3: Will foreign workers still be needed?
A3: Yes. Expat experts remain essential for specialized operations, but they now play a mentorship role in developing local talent.
🏁 Conclusion: Vision 2030 — Empowering the Future of Saudi Manpower
Saudi Vision 2030 is not just reshaping the economy — it’s transforming how the Kingdom builds, trains, and empowers its oil and gas workforce.
With trusted partners like AL AJMII, the transition becomes smoother, ensuring Saudi Arabia’s energy projects are powered by world-class manpower and sustainable practices.
🌟 Vision 2030 is not the end of oil — it’s the beginning of smarter energy, powered by skilled people.
