Overview of the 2025 Landscape
In 2025 the oil and gas sector continues to occupy a central position in the Libyan economy. International economic sources report that hydrocarbons account for an estimated sixty to sixty eight percent of national GDP and remain the main contributor to public revenue and exports. At the same time youth unemployment is reported at around fifty percent, which highlights the importance of employment pathways for young people entering the labour market.
Publicly available information shows growing national attention toward education, skills development and early career preparation. These developments include the expansion of graduate programmes within the National Oil Corporation, ongoing initiatives in technical and vocational education supported by international partners, and continued planning for increased renewable energy capacity.
This creates a context in which education and workforce readiness remain important areas of national focus during 2025, particularly in relation to the needs of the energy sector.
Economic and Labour Market Context
Economic assessments from institutions such as the African Development Bank, the World Bank and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) describe the Libyan economy as one in which oil production continues to be the primary driver of growth. Projections for 2025 follow the same trend and maintain the view that hydrocarbons play a leading role in national economic performance.
Labour market reporting indicates an overall unemployment rate near nineteen percent and a youth unemployment rate near fifty percent.These indicators illustrate the size of the young population seeking employment and the significance of sectors that can provide structured entry pathways.
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Higher Education in 2025
Libya has a broad higher education network that includes major public universities in Tripoli, Benghazi, Misrata, Sirte and Sebha as well as private institutions. These universities offer programmes in engineering, geology, chemistry, physics and other fields connected to the oil and gas sector.
Higher education is free and enrollment has expanded over several years. As a result many graduates enter the labour market annually with academic backgrounds that are relevant to upstream and downstream operations as well as emerging areas of energy planning.
International reporting on the education system notes characteristics such as wide access to university level study, significant enrolment in scientific and technical fields, and the presence of laboratories and academic facilities across the public university network. These factors continue to shape the pool of graduates available for technical and engineering pathways in the energy sector.
Technical and Vocational Education in 2025
Technical and vocational education continues to play a significant role in preparing technician level workers for operational and maintenance activities in the energy sector. International assessments describe the Libyan technical and vocational system as one with many institutions across different regions of the country.
A key development in 2025 is the continued implementation of the Libya Almaharat Land of Skills programme funded by the European Union and delivered by the British Council. This programme aims to strengthen the technical and vocational sector through institutional leadership development and improved alignment with workforce needs.
Petroleum focused institutions including the Petroleum Training and Qualifying Institute and the Ajdabiya Petroleum Institute provide training related to operations in the oil and gas sector. These institutions contribute to areas such as operations support, measurement, maintenance and other field based activities.
Private Training and Industry Learning
In addition to public institutions several private and semi public centres offer specialised training connected to the needs of the energy sector. These include organisations such as the Petroleum Research Center and independent training academies that provide short courses in safety, turbomachinery, instrumentation, digital technologies and project related skills.
Training providers offer learning opportunities for students, technicians and early career professionals who seek to develop skills relevant to a wide range of operational activities including measurement systems such as ultrasonic flow meter Libya, flare gas measurement Libya, control systems, filtration equipment and mechanical maintenance.
These learning pathways complement university and technical education and contribute to broader workforce readiness within the sector.
Graduate Participation and Workforce Trends
Information from the National Oil Corporation indicates that its graduate programme is designed for approximately seven thousand graduates from more than fifty Libyan cities. This represents one of the largest organised graduate training efforts in the country and provides a pathway for individuals entering the energy workforce.
Labour market analyses suggest that around twenty thousand graduates across all fields enter the job market each year. Academic and workforce studies highlight strengths among young Libyans such as strong interest in working within the energy sector, theoretical knowledge in engineering and science, and growing interest in digital and renewable energy topics. These trends form part of the broader national picture of workforce readiness during 2025.
National Energy Planning and Future Competencies
Libya continues to advance national planning for renewable energy as outlined in the National Sustainable Energy Strategy. The strategy includes a target for renewable sources to contribute twenty five percent of national electricity generation by 2030. Publicly available reporting on projects such as the Sadada solar plant demonstrates early progress in this direction.
These developments indicate areas where future competencies may be relevant, particularly those related to renewable energy systems, energy measurement, emissions monitoring and combined energy planning. Digital skills are also noted in international assessments as becoming increasingly important across multiple sectors including energy.
National Initiatives Highlighted in 2025
Publicly documented initiatives in 2025 include:
The National Oil Corporation graduate training programme which continues to support thousands of graduates with structured technical and professional training.
More information here: https://noc.ly/en/national-oil-corporation-announces-the-launch-of-the-new-graduate-training-programme-2/
The Libya Almaharat Land of Skills programme which works with technical and vocational institutions to strengthen governance, leadership and responsiveness to labour market needs.
More information here: https://www.britishcouncil.ly/en/programmes/society/libya-almaharat
National planning for expanded renewable energy capacity which is shaping discussions around future workforce requirements.
These initiatives form part of wider national efforts to support education and employment pathways.
Conclusion
The year 2025 presents a landscape in which oil and gas remain central to national economic performance while youth employment remains an important national focus. Libya’s universities, technical and vocational institutions, training providers and national companies continue to contribute to the development of skills relevant to the energy sector.
Publicly available information highlights ongoing initiatives in education, training and energy planning that are shaping the skills environment in the country. As Libya continues to develop strategies for both hydrocarbons and renewable energy, education and workforce readiness remain areas of active national attention supported by multiple institutions and partners.
Read or download the full Education research report for 2025 by PetroGas Libya’s Marketing here:
