Romanian engineers, especially those in the oil sector, are in great demand by companies operating in Qatar, Kazakhstan, Nigeria and Yemen, who are offering monthly salaries of up to €15,000 for specialists with several years of experience.

“Most in demand are specialists in the oil sector, specialized in extraction or refining. These are appreciated because they speak foreign languages,” according to Barnett McCall recruiting company Tech Project Consultant, Ariel Ungureanu. The company has recruiting projects for the Middle East. Ungureanu added that demand for specialists is coming from major companies such as Agip, Exxon, Shell or CB&I. Specialists with more than five years experience are the most in demand. Speaking one foreign language is mandatory, he added.

“The local market is currently facing a lack of specialists in the oil sector, as the best prefer to work abroad, for much higher wages,” said the President of the
Sibiu Society of Natural Gas Engineers, Dumitru Chisalita. He said that Romanians are known to be highly skilled, especially in the drilling sector.
Because of the shortage of specialists, local companies are increasingly collaborating with universities to try to employ specialists even prior to their graduation.