It was a year that fell below expectations for the oil and gas sector in Canada.

A down 2013 means 2014 will be a catch up year, as companies in the oil patch go on a hiring spree.

In a poll by Hays, half of employers say they will increase permanent staff this year, with 89 per cent saying they will up staff salaries by at least three per cent.

The National Post reports, companies are still dealing with a skill shortage; a problem that could get bigger in 2014.

They’ll be sending more hires to places like Australia, Southeast Asia and the UK, to study up on LNG specific skills.