Speaking to Arab News, Griffiths highlighted his company’s
efforts in supplying Saudi Arabia the most modern air defense systems.
“We provided these systems through agreements signed between
the Saudi and British governments,” he said, stressing the good cooperation
between his company and Saudi Arabia during the past three decades.
“We have started training Saudis on Typhoon aircraft
assembling at our plant in Warton in order to establish an assembling plant in
the Kingdom shortly,” he said.
He noted the Kingdom’s efforts to train the national cadre.
“During the past several years, the Saudi government has been making efforts to
diversify its economy and establish new industries by providing advanced
training to the national cadre.”
Griffiths added: “We have cooperated with this drive by
providing the Saudi Royal Air Force and Saudi armed forces with qualified Saudi
manpower of high standard, by giving them training in different industries and
technical areas.”
He said BAE Systems had established large-scale projects to
train Saudi manpower in defense-related industries. Griffiths said about 58
percent of the company’s 5,000 employees are Saudi.
“We are continuing our efforts to increase the percentage of
the Saudi work force gradually by recruiting qualified graduates of Saudi
universities and technical institutes,” he said.
“We train these graduates in the Kingdom as well as in the
UK to make them well-qualified professionals in order to take up important
positions at the company."
He said BAE Systems also works with local companies involved
in the Economic Offset Program as well as with local investors, who wanted to
improve the capabilities of the national manpower. “This has been appreciated
by the government. It also strengthens our company’s competence and
continuation in the Saudi market.”
Griffiths disclosed his company’s plan to recruit qualified
Saudis to take up important positions, especially in manpower management. At
present the HR manager in the company is a non-Saudi. “We are now in the
process of training a group of Saudi employees to take up leadership and
strategic positions in the company.”
He said the company adopts a modern and effective
methodology for training its workers.
According to Griffiths, BAE has business in more than 100
countries and Saudi Arabia is one of its seven major markets. The company
supplies a variety of defense, security and information systems for Saudi
Arabia and increases its investment in the country.
Speaking about the company’s social responsibility
initiatives, Mundir Mahmoud Tayeb, director of public relations, said BAE
Systems wanted to carry out programs in harmony with the Saudi government’s
strategic objectives and its efforts to build the capabilities of Saudis. He
underlined the role of education and training in boosting progress and
prosperity of any country. “Economic growth plays a big role in reducing
unemployment,” he added. BAE Systems supports a research program after
doctorate degree.
