Saudi Arabia: New Khafji Institute To Boost Petroleum Industry

By Sharif M. Taha

A new institute has been established in Khafji to train Saudis to take up important positions in the oil industry. The Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC) and its strategic partner Saudi Petroleum Services Polytechnic (SPSPT) and Aramco Gulf Operations Co. (AGOC) signed an agreement at the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources here yesterday to operate the new institute.

TVTC Gov. Dr. Ali Al-Ghafees signed the deal with Abdul Rahman Abdul Kareem, adviser for corporate affairs at the ministry and chairman of SPSPT’s board of trustees, and Abdullah Al-Hilal, AGOC’s CEO. Covering an area of 230,000 sq. meters, the new institute can accommodate 3,000 trainees.

Speaking to reporters after the signing ceremony, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Ali Al-Naimi said the agreement was an extension of the successful strategic partnership between the ministry and TVTC for expansion in the field of training institutes specialized in oil services.

Al-Naimi pointed out that the strategic partnership between the two organizations would contribute to creating more job opportunities for Saudis in oil industry and technical fields. Training programs at SPSPT cover eight major areas such as mechanics, electricity, electronics, pipefitting, IT, and air-conditioning.