GE establishes technical academy in partnership with TVTC to grow Saudi Technical Talent Pool

Press release

Published May 21st, 2012 - 07:43 GMT

During signing the agreement

Reinforcing its long-term commitment to Saudi Arabia’s pursuit of a knowledge economy, GE today signed a strategic partnership agreement with the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC) to establish a technical academy that will train annually 150 select Saudi technical graduates in advanced skills such as key areas of maintenance and repair of gas turbines, electrical motors and generators that are critical to the efficient generation of electricity in the Kingdom.

Under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Governor of the Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia, and in the presence of His Highness Prince Jalawi bin Abdulaziz bin Musaad, Deputy Governor of the Eastern Province and other dignitaries from the Eastern Province, the strategic partnership agreement was signed by H.E. Dr. Ali bin Nasser Al-Ghafis, Governor of TVTC and Joseph Anis, President and CEO, GE Energy in the Middle East.

“TVTC is proud to team up with GE, a world-class technology company, to train the engineers and technicians, who will form the cornerstone of the Saudi energy industry of tomorrow,” said Dr. Ali Bin Nasser Al-Ghafis. “The agreement reflects TVTC’s strategy to build partnerships with the private sector to implement programs that support Vision 2020, Saudi Arabia’s initiative to promote diversification, create new jobs and drive overall welfare.”

This milestone agreement establishes a strategic partnership between TVTC and GE, designed to contribute to the empowerment of Saudi nationals with world class technical training. The agreement is another step forward in the wake of the successful GE Joint Technical Program with TVTC which was launched in 2010 to train Saudi students over several years. Successful graduates will be offered the opportunity to join GE’s business in the growing GE Saudi family to support the expanding energy sector in Saudi Arabia.

“This establishment of this technical academy signifies a new milestone in our collaboration with TVTC and underscores our joint commitment to empower Saudi Arabia’s most promising students with the advanced skills needed to support the Kingdom’s growth and development,” said Joseph Anis, President and CEO, GE Energy in the Middle East.

With nearly 80 years of experience and 1,000 employees in Saudi Arabia, GE has expanded its energy presence in the Kingdom through public-private alliances and a strong footprint of facilities providing manufacturing, service repair support and customer training centers in the power, water and oil and gas sectors. Last June, GE inaugurated its newest technology center in Dammam. The SAR 1 billion GE Energy Manufacturing Technology Center consists of three main components an advanced service technology center, a training center offering the latest in technical and managerial training as well as a high technology manufacturing hub for energy equipment dedicated to the entire energy value chain.

Background Information

General Electric

GE provides knowledge, capacity building and training to empower the region’s workforce. Thirty percent of the Middle East and North Africa’s population is between the ages of 15 and 29. In the UAE, we’re partnering with the Mubadala Development Company to build local capacity by empowering local talent through trainings at our Leadership Acceleration for Business (LAB) initiative.

With 76 nationalities working in the region, GE proudly fosters diversity in the workforce. To accelerate the advancement of women, the Women’s Network, an affinity network at GE, creates opportunities for female employees to cultivate their leadership and business skills. GE is not just watching as the region realizes its future; we’re partnering to help build it.