FROM the very beginning, Saudi Aramco has supported the development and transfer of knowledge within the company and within the kingdom.

As Saudi Arabia transitions to a knowledge economy, Aramco will continue to be there taking a leading role in empowering innovation and developing the kingdom’s human potential.

Aramco also supports domestic vocational institutes and universities, as well as lending a hand to local companies in their efforts to train and upgrade the skills of their employees. Some of Aramco’s efforts include:

• Offering company-wide training programmes to give all its employees the skills they need to further their careers;

• Sponsoring apprenticeship and college development programmes; and

• Endowing 13 academic chairs in energy-related roles at Saudi universities.

With over 45 per cent of Saudi Arabians under 25 years old, it is crucial that the kingdom give its youth a strong learning foundation. For this Saudi Aramco has put together programmes to help provide them with the necessary knowledge and skills to become tomorrow’s business leaders.

Aramco currently sponsors some 1,342 students who are majoring in engineering and business at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals and at a number of competitive out-of-kingdom universities. Some of these students are graduates of Aramco’s College Preparatory Programme (CPP) and College Continuation Programme.

In 2011, a total of 1,728 students participated in the CPP, College Degree Programme for non-employees, and Associate Degree Programme for non-employees.

The inaugural class of the Saudi Research Science Institute (SRSI) at King Abdullah University of Science & Technology enrolled 25 Saudi high school students, 13 of whom were female.

The programme provides a mentorship model that combines theory courses and research in the subjects of science, technology, engineering, and math. Through a three-year sponsorship agreement, Saudi Aramco will support talented Saudi students as they prepare for careers of excellence and leadership in one of the four chosen fields.

Since Saudi Aramco views young people as the kingdom’s greatest asset in securing the future, its Apprenticeship Programme aims to prepare them for successful careers. In 2011, the programme trained 4,074 Saudi high school graduates and vocational college graduates.

A competitive workforce also includes developing the skills and competencies of women in the workforce. In 2011, 206 women participated in Saudi Aramco’s Women in Business Programme.

The company organised workshops in Ras Tanura, Riyadh and Jeddah designed to enhance the skills of Saudi private sector businesswomen.