RIYADH: A group of 75 young Saudis employed by a multinational engineering and construction company has completed a rigorous 13-month training course to prepare them for the industry.

They completed modules covering mathematics, English, welding, carpentry, pipe-fitting, plumbing and metalwork, said Daniel-Brian Murteda, Petrofac’s manager for training and development, based in Alkhobar. The training program offered by the engineering, procurement and construction company is for the Jazan refinery project in Baish, Saudi Arabia.

Murteda said the same number of Saudis would start training this week at the same venue under the theme "Saudi Arabia Work Experience," one of the Saudization platforms of Petrofac’s Saudi Future Generation Program.

Speaking with Arab News, Murteda said the company has hired 142 male engineers and female information technology staff for contracts, corporate social responsibility and other projects over the past two years.

He said master artisans and mentors in construction, along with instructors from Petrofac’s training department, would supervise the learning so that the young Saudis can practice their skills in a safe work environment at the Baish site and contribute to the progress of the project.

“Over the past 15 years around the world, and 20 years in Saudi Arabia, as a professor, training consultant, and mentor, I have not seen such vibrant enthusiasm to learn and an eagerness to apply that learning,” Murteda said.

“Petrofac’s training and on-the-job mentoring has given these young Saudis an incalculable advantage for their present and future lives ... and also to support their region in developing its economic potential over the long term.” He said the trainees have also completed a defensive driving program and celebrated their new information about safe driving by signing a poster and promising to follow the company’s 10 rules on traffic safety.

In addition, they completed 46 classroom hours of construction site and oil refinery safety, and modules on leadership skills, communications and teamwork.