⚙️ Introduction: Why Choosing the Right Manpower Type Matters in Saudi Arabia’s Oil & Gas Industry
In Saudi Arabia’s dynamic Oil & Gas sector, projects often run on tight schedules, strict budgets, and complex operational demands.
One of the most critical decisions for project managers is choosing between temporary and permanent manpower.
Each option comes with its own advantages, limitations, and best-use cases — and making the wrong decision can affect cost, productivity, and project safety.
At AL AJMII TRADING AND CONTRACTING W.L.L, we have supplied both temporary and permanent oil and gas manpower across Saudi Arabia — from Ras Tanura refineries to NEOM industrial sites. This blog helps you understand when and why to choose each type.
🛢️ Understanding the Oil & Gas Manpower Landscape in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia’s oil and gas sector employs hundreds of thousands of skilled professionals — from welders, pipe fitters, and riggers to HSE officers and process engineers.
However, not all manpower requirements are the same. Projects vary in:
- Duration (short-term shutdowns vs multi-year EPC projects)
- Complexity (maintenance vs construction vs commissioning)
- Budget constraints
- Compliance requirements (Aramco, SABIC, Ministry of Energy)
That’s why it’s essential to distinguish between temporary and permanent manpower solutions.
⏱️ What Is Temporary Manpower in Oil & Gas Projects?
Temporary manpower refers to short-term employment arrangements, usually through a manpower supply company like AL AJMII.
These workers are hired for specific project phases such as:
- Shutdown and turnaround maintenance
- Construction peaks
- Equipment installation or upgrades
- Emergency replacement
🔹 Common Temporary Manpower Roles:
- Welders (MIG/TIG/ARC)
- Scaffolding experts
- Fabricators and riggers
- Safety officers for shutdowns
- Electricians and instrument technicians
🔹 Benefits of Temporary Manpower
✅ Flexibility: Quickly scale your workforce up or down as projects demand.
✅ Cost Efficiency: Avoid long-term payroll, benefits, and visa costs.
✅ Fast Deployment: Pre-screened and safety-trained workers ready to mobilize.
✅ Compliance Ready: Meets Saudi labor and HSE standards through trusted suppliers.
⚡ For urgent project demands in Jubail or NEOM, AL AJMII’s temporary manpower ensures you get skilled professionals on-site within days — not weeks.
🧑🏭 What Is Permanent Manpower in Oil & Gas Projects?
Permanent manpower refers to long-term employees directly hired or retained for ongoing operations, maintenance, or plant management.
These workers form the core team of an oil and gas facility, ensuring consistent quality, safety, and productivity.
🔹 Common Permanent Manpower Roles:
- Production engineers
- Maintenance supervisors
- Control room operators
- HSE managers
- QA/QC inspectors
🔹 Benefits of Permanent Manpower
✅ Stability: Consistent performance and deeper site familiarity.
✅ Expertise Development: Long-term employees gain deep project knowledge.
✅ Better Team Integration: Stronger collaboration across departments.
✅ Lower Turnover Risk: Retained staff reduce onboarding and training cycles.
🏗️ For multi-phase projects or refineries like Ras Laffan or Jafurah, permanent manpower ensures operational continuity and reliability.
⚖️ Temporary vs Permanent Manpower — A Detailed Comparison
| Criteria | Temporary Manpower | Permanent Manpower |
|---|---|---|
| Employment Duration | Short-term / project-based | Long-term / ongoing |
| Hiring Source | Through manpower supplier | Direct company recruitment |
| Cost Impact | Lower initial cost | Higher long-term commitment |
| Flexibility | High – scale up/down quickly | Low – fixed workforce size |
| Training & Onboarding | Usually pre-trained by supplier | Requires in-house training |
| Best Use Case | Shutdowns, maintenance, urgent tasks | Continuous operations, supervision |
| Compliance Handling | Managed by manpower provider | Managed by company |
| Example | AL AJMII provides welders for 3-month shutdown | Company employs engineers for plant operation |
🧰 When to Choose Temporary Manpower in Saudi Arabia
Temporary manpower is ideal when:
- You’re managing short-term, deadline-driven projects
- You need skilled workers fast (for shutdowns or urgent maintenance)
- You want to reduce overhead for short phases
- Your project involves multiple subcontractors or shifting timelines
🧱 Example: A refinery shutdown in Jubail requiring 200 skilled welders and helpers for 45 days — AL AJMII’s temporary manpower model is the most efficient solution.
🏗️ When to Choose Permanent Manpower in Saudi Arabia
Permanent manpower is ideal when:
- You manage long-term facility operations
- You want to build in-house expertise
- Your project requires ongoing quality control or HSE leadership
- You aim for strong company culture and process stability
🔧 Example: An Aramco facility in Dhahran employing maintenance engineers for ongoing process optimization.
💡 Hybrid Approach: The Smart Manpower Strategy for Oil & Gas Projects
Many leading oil and gas companies in Saudi Arabia now prefer a hybrid manpower model — combining both temporary and permanent manpower.
This approach allows companies to:
- Maintain a stable core team (permanent staff)
- Scale workforce rapidly during high-demand project phases
- Control costs and risk exposure
- Maintain compliance with Saudi labor laws and Vision 2030 localization goals
⚙️ AL AJMII provides flexible workforce models, helping clients balance short-term demands with long-term efficiency.
🌍 Vision 2030 and Its Impact on Manpower Types
Under Saudi Vision 2030, the energy sector encourages:
- Local workforce empowerment (Saudization)
- Digital upskilling and safety training
- Sustainable employment practices
This means companies must now balance national employment quotas with the flexibility of temporary foreign manpower — especially for specialized technical roles.
🇸🇦 AL AJMII supports Vision 2030 by blending local recruitment with international expertise, ensuring compliance and performance.
🧠 Expert Insight: AL AJMII’s Recommendation
As a trusted oil & gas manpower supplier in Saudi Arabia, AL AJMII advises:
- Use temporary manpower for short-term and seasonal needs
- Employ permanent manpower for mission-critical and long-term roles
- Adopt a hybrid manpower strategy for flexibility and compliance
Every project is unique — that’s why AL AJMII’s manpower consultants conduct site-specific workforce planning to deliver the best cost-performance ratio.
❓ FAQs: Temporary vs Permanent Oil & Gas Manpower in Saudi Arabia
Q1: What’s the main difference between temporary and permanent manpower?
A1: Temporary manpower is project-based and flexible, while permanent manpower ensures long-term stability and in-house expertise.
Q2: Which manpower type is best for oil and gas projects?
A2: It depends on project duration, budget, and workforce needs. Many companies use a hybrid of both.
Q3: Does AL AJMII provide both manpower types?
A3: Yes, we provide temporary, permanent, and hybrid manpower solutions across Saudi Arabia’s oil and gas sector.
Q4: Are temporary workers compliant with Saudi labor laws?
A4: Yes. AL AJMII ensures full compliance with Saudi Ministry of Labor, Aramco HSE, and Vision 2030 guidelines.
🏁 Conclusion: The Right Manpower Mix Drives Oil & Gas Success
In Saudi Arabia’s evolving energy landscape, choosing the right manpower type is a key strategic decision.
Temporary manpower offers speed and cost-efficiency, while permanent manpower ensures stability and depth.
The smartest companies — and the most successful projects — use both to their advantage.
At AL AJMII TRADING AND CONTRACTING W.L.L, we help you find that balance — providing certified, safety-trained manpower tailored to your oil and gas project’s unique needs.
⚙️ Build smart. Build safe. Build with AL AJMII — your trusted manpower partner in Saudi Arabia’s Oil & Gas industry.
