Hiring new personnel within specific skillsets is the best method of succeeding as the world’s use of energy changes, according to new research from executive search firm Maxwell Drummond.

The Maxwell Drummond International Energy Survey 2011, a survey of business leaders within major oil & gas operators and contractors in Europe, the US, Canada, Asia, Africa, Australasia and the Middle East, reveals 57.6% believe hiring new personnel with the specific skillsets they lack will be the best way to capitalise on the evolving energy mix.

The survey also shows the expectation of North America and Europe as global energy centres has fallen between 2010 (63%) and 2011 (57.5%), while China (24% in 2010 and 36% in 2011) has overtaken Eastern Europe (30% in 2010 and 26.3% in 2011) as the next main focus for unconventional resources.

Almost two thirds (63.1%) said the ability to attract and retain the right people is the main barrier to accessing experienced staff, while 50.5% said a lack of knowledge transfer is also a barrier.

Almost a quarter (22.9%) believe there is a lack of willingness or ability to recruit or train from other sectors.