Siemens, with its shareholder and partner E.A. Juffali and Brothers, will be building the largest gas turbine plant of its kind in the Middle East. This state-of-the-art facility will provide the latest gas turbine technologies and Siemens is training young Saudi nationals for employment at the new site.

Waleed Habib, Ali Ibrahim and Sameer Shoi are among the first employees who will be based at the Siemens Dammam Energy Hub.

They are currently engaged with an intensive training program and are learning to build top quality gas turbines for the Saudi market.

Based at Siemens’ Charlotte Energy Hub in the United States, the trainees are highly energized and optimistic about their new learning experience.

The trainees studied at the Saudi Petroleum Services Polytechnic (SPSP), a vocational training college in Dammam that collaborates with the private sector to train and employ young Saudi nationals.

Since 2012, Siemens has been a partner to SPSP and sponsored the trainees with a view to employing them at the company’s gas turbine plant, the Siemens Dammam Energy Hub, after graduation.

Shoi explains: “We were told about the opportunity to receive training in gas turbine technologies and later learned that this included special training in the mechanical field in the United States. I initially trained as a Welder; however, I was selected for the mechanical fitter training course and I am in the United States learning about the technology of building gas turbines. It feels good to be in this position and have the opportunity to bring this knowledge back to Saudi Arabia.”

The training combines theory and practice and, having completed the theoretical phase of the program, the trainees are particularly excited about their direct involvement in the manufacturing of gas turbines destined for Saudi Arabia.

Upon their return to Saudi Arabia, their newly acquired knowledge, skills and capabilities will be used to start the manufacturing of gas turbines at the Siemens Dammam Energy Hub.

Ibrahim said: “I have been working in the service business supporting projects since the end of 2013. I received a good evaluation while working at a Siemens project site in Saudi Arabia. This was an important point which resulted in my nomination to travel to the USA. This is a very good challenge that we have been given and we will succeed and bring lots of knowledge back to Saudi Arabia.”

Arja Talakar, CEO, Siemens in Saudi Arabia, said: “We are proud of all our trainees and look forward to having them as fellow team members in our organization, especially at the Siemens Dammam Energy Hub. This is a great milestone and a true testimony to our continuous effort toward local skills development and job creation.”

In addition, the training facilitators expressed great satisfaction with the progress of the trainees since arriving in the United States. They are clear about the challenging path toward becoming a turbine expert, but confirm that the trainees are off to an excellent start.

Mentoring is an essential element of the training program and the trainees, after two months, expressed their appreciation for the guidance that they were receiving.

Habib commented: “We are covering very interesting topics during our training. Among others, we are trained in assembly operations, tool management and non-conformance management. Health and safety are key issues in the factory environment and we are learning how a culture of safety creates a culture of quality. This entire experience is presenting many opportunities for personal development, which in many ways is life-changing to me.”

This is another milestone that demonstrates the benefits of investing in local talent. Two years ago, Siemens started a relationship with students and today the company celebrates with its new employees and their families.

Their commitment and effort, with Siemens’ support, produced a result to which many aspire — skills and employment.

As the Saudi economy continues to diversify and expand manufacturing capacity, the imperatives for education and training are clear while the benefits to business and society are increasingly tangible. Companies like Siemens are making real contributions to address skills gaps in the market.

The Siemens Dammam Energy Hub confirms that Siemens is expanding its local footprint in Saudi Arabia. This resonates with the company’s responsibility as a partner to the Kingdom, but also highlights its commitment to local work force development.

Siemens was established nearly 170 years ago in Germany and history recognizes its founder as a pioneer. This ethos is upheld today in the company’s diligent approach toward training and development, particularly with respect to developing the next generation of technical experts in Saudi Arabia.

Siemens’ training programs are held in high regard across the world. The company’s name is synonymous with top quality products and solutions and this is the same for its extensive training programs.

Many of Siemens’ senior leaders graduated from the company’s training and development programs in recent years and are a testimony to its success. Today, they are highly respected in their fields of expertise.

Talakar adds: “Siemens is positioned along the electrification, automation and digitalization value chains. This is an ideal fit since it allows us to fully address the Kingdom’s requirements regarding growing demand in fields of energy, manufacturing and healthcare. We believe that people make the difference and, together with our shareholder and partner E.A. Juffali and Brothers, will continue our commitment toward the development of the local work force.”