The Growing Skills Gap: A Looming Challenge for the Midstream Industry

One of the most pressing issues facing the midstream industry in 2025 is the retirement of a significant portion of its skilled workforce. This demographic shift is creating a skills gap that threatens to disrupt operations and compromise safety if not addressed effectively.

The loss of experienced operators means more than just a reduction in headcount; it represents the departure of decades of institutional knowledge, hands-on expertise, and critical problem-solving skills honed over years of practical application.

The Exodus of Experience: Losing Decades of Midstream Expertise

These seasoned professionals have been the backbone of pipeline operations, ensuring that critical tasks are performed safely and efficiently. Their deep understanding of pipeline infrastructure, operational nuances, and potential hazards is invaluable. As they exit the workforce, companies are left with the significant challenge of training and qualifying new operators to fill these increasingly complex roles.

The midstream skills gap is further exacerbated by the fact that the pace of knowledge transfer often isn’t keeping up with the rate of retirement. Tribal knowledge, learned through years of experience, can be difficult to codify and pass on through traditional training methods alone.

The Evolving Demands: A Need for Broader Skill Sets

Adding to this challenge is the increasing complexity of pipeline operations. Advances in technology, such as the integration of automation, data analytics, and remote monitoring, require operators to possess a broader and more technical skill set than ever before. New hires must not only understand the fundamentals of pipeline operations but also be adept at using advanced digital tools and systems to maintain safety, optimize efficiency, and interpret complex data streams.

This technological evolution demands a workforce that is comfortable with digital interfaces, capable of analyzing insights, and adaptable to new technologies as they emerge.

The Statistical Reality: Understanding the Scale of the Challenge

While precise, industry-wide statistics for 2025 are still evolving, previous trends offer a stark warning. Reports from earlier in the decade highlighted that a significant percentage of the energy workforce was nearing retirement age, with some projections suggesting that upwards of 40% of skilled tradespeople in the sector could retire within the next five to ten years.

This impending exodus underscores the urgency for proactive measures to mitigate the knowledge drain. Without effective strategies in place, the industry risks a decline in operational expertise, potentially leading to increased incidents, reduced efficiency, and challenges in maintaining regulatory compliance.

Bridging the Divide: Investing in the Future Midstream Workforce

To bridge this growing gap, midstream companies must invest in comprehensive and innovative training and qualification programs that equip new operators with the diverse skills and deep knowledge they need to succeed in this evolving environment. This includes not only foundational OQ training but also upskilling initiatives focused on digital literacy, data analysis, and the operation of advanced technologies.

Furthermore, companies need to explore strategies for effective knowledge transfer from retiring workers to newer generations, such as mentorship programs, detailed documentation initiatives, and the leveraging of technology to capture and disseminate expert knowledge.

Partnering for Progress: How Veriforce Can Help

Addressing this skills gap proactively is not just a matter of maintaining operational capacity; it is a fundamental imperative for ensuring the long-term safety and sustainability of the midstream industry.

Veriforce recognizes the critical nature of this challenge and offers solutions designed to empower companies in bridging this divide. Our platform provides the tools to streamline training and qualification processes, facilitate efficient knowledge transfer through digital resources, and track workforce competency to identify and address skill gaps proactively. Furthermore, thousands of prequalified contractors are part of the Veriforce network, allowing companies to quickly source skilled workers when they need them, where they need them.

By partnering with Veriforce, organizations can build a resilient and future-ready workforce, ensuring operational excellence and continued safety in the face of evolving demographics and technological advancements.

Contact us today and allow a Veriforce OQ expert to help you with all your OQ challenges, including the widening skills gap.