BP is helping Libyan communities benefit from oil production in the country with an investment in training and development infrastructure, the Observer's Ruth Sutherland has claimed.

In an article yesterday (August 23rd), Ms Sutherland explained that whereas the oil and gas industry has long relied on a skilled migrant workforce to help develop fields in countries such as Libya, BP is helping to boost local employment with an investment in oil and gas training.

To date, the company has spent $50 million (£30 million) on training and development programmes in the country.

"Instead of just shipping in expats and using locals as cheap labour, companies need to plan training, recruitment and succession so that locals are involved at senior management level," Ms Sutherland insisted.

BP also offers its workers a combination of both 'hard' and 'soft' skills-based training programmes, focusing on both technical support and other areas such as communication and presentation skills.