Metso and Saudi Mining Polytechnic (SMP) institute have signed a training agreement to support mining career development and address the mining labour shortage in Saudi Arabia and the wider region.
Metso will select young Saudi graduates to undergo training services at SMP as per the agreement. This includes training trainees for the Associate Diploma in the specified programs at SMP over one year, with an additional three months of on-the-job training at the customer site. The pact was signed at last week’s Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Rajneesh Mishra, Vice President, Sales and Service, Middle East area, said: “A training agreement is an important way to develop the local capabilities and offer opportunities for skill enhancement and career growth for students to meet the growing need for mining professionals in the area. This initiative is a concrete example of Metso’s commitment to community development in Saudi Arabia. Our target is to make the mining industry more appealing to potential new Metso employees by helping to attract and also retain talent.”
SMP is semi-governmental, and the degree is accredited by the Ministry of Education and the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation.
Abdullah Amer Alotaibi, Managing Director, SMP, said: “We are dedicated to training Saudi youth to achieve the highest level of Saudisation and job localisation in the mining industry. The training agreement with Metso is a significant addition to our partner network. We recognise the labour market needs in the mining industry and are committed to nationalising jobs in this growing industry.”
Metso has signed several major mining capital projects and life cycle service agreements in the Middle East area over the years. Local workforce capability development and training has become a crucial part of the life cycle service contracts.
Metso says it offers training to bridge the knowledge gap between customer personnel, equipment, and operational goals. Through its Metso Academy, led by global experts with decades of experience, Metso provides comprehensive and tailored training programs designed to enhance technical knowledge, safety, reliability and operational performance.