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Over the past decade, I’ve had the opportunity to lead drilling recruitment operations around the world through my role at Advance Global Recruitment Ltd . What I’ve seen is that the recruitment landscape in the drilling sector is evolving rapidly.

It’s about strategic workforce planning, global mobilisation, compliance, and ensuring that the right people are in the right place at exactly the right time.

At AGR, we support some of the world’s largest drilling contractors with contract and permanent personnel, and through that, we’ve developed a deep understanding of the industry’s real pain points.

Here are six key insights I believe every project leader should consider when it comes to drilling recruitment in 2025:

1. It’s a global workforce but local insight matters.

Clients expect fast turnaround, but without a firm grasp of local compliance, tax laws, and logistics, things can quickly unravel. AGR operates in 75+ countries, and our strength lies in understanding how to mobilise crews compliantly and efficiently in any region.

2. Experience Still Reigns Supreme

There’s no substitute for tried-and-tested personnel. That’s why we focus not only on sourcing the right talent but also on retention, re-engagement, and upskilling. Through targeted training programs, we ensure our personnel enhance their expertise and develop transferable skills that enable them to excel across multiple industries.

3. Travel and logistics are now mission-critical.

With project timelines tightening, delays in crew travel can be costly. At AGR, our Travel & Logistics team works alongside our recruiters to ensure crew changes happen without disruption, reducing downtime and keeping operations on track.

4. Payroll and compliance are non-negotiables.

In high-risk environments like drilling, having fully compliant and correctly paid personnel isn’t just good practice, it protects your reputation. AGR partners with trusted payroll providers to deliver compliant solutions.

5. Relationships are still everything.

Recruitment may be changing with increasing technology, but the value of long-term, trusted partnerships hasn’t. AGR has grown by investing in genuine relationships with clients and candidates, and in an industry as dynamic as drilling, that trust makes all the difference.

6. Localisation and upskilling local talent

Investing in local talent isn’t just a regulatory requirement — it’s a strategic advantage. By identifying, training, and developing local personnel, we ensure projects benefit from skilled, motivated teams who can perform at international standards while contributing to workforce sustainability and regional growth.

The drilling sector demands speed, precision, and experience, and the same should be expected from your recruitment partner.

At AGR we’re proud to support the sector with a 360-degree recruitment solution, from sourcing and mobilisation to compliance and crew support.

I’m always open to connecting with others in the industry to share ideas and discuss how we can work smarter in 2025 and beyond.

By Ben Herriott, Global Sales Director