Saudi Aramco

The human touch

Computer-based learning has been expanded at Saudi Aramco

Saudi Aramco's global leadership role continues thanks in large part to its more than 54,000 employees around the world.

The company's belief is that ongoing training and human development are essential elements of a world-class organisation.

Last year was the year of Self Development at Saudi Aramco, a programme which included the establishment of Learning Centres across Saudi Arabia, equipped with computers easily accessible to courses and programmes.

The philosophy behind the self-development programme was to shift the momentum of company programmes to the individual employee, who is now able to tailor a training plan to meet his or her individual needs.

The programme started with exhibitions attended by more than 40,000 people, and since then a wide range of training options have been made available under the programme.

By the end of last year, the initiative had already attracted around 1.5 million visitors to its website and on-line learning programmes, according to Saudi Aramco.

The Learning Centres have been equipped with computers which provide access to courses from the most basic up to university-level symposia, and they represented an effective resource base for employees on the move up, the company said.

Expanded computer-based learning opportunities were supplemented last year with other specialised programmes, one of which was the President's Leadership Challenge, under which participants take leave from their regular jobs to engage in intensive leadership-building sessions, which are based on real life situations and solutions.

The participants are identified as being high potential by their superiors but, unlike programmes in management theory or analysis, the President's Leadership Challenge poses real Saudi Aramco issues, and includes a mandate to recommend real solutions. Over the course of the programme, an executive panel reviews their findings and often proceeds with their implementation.

Such programmes ensure the development of Saudi Aramco's future leaders.

The company is also deeply committed to hiring and developing Saudi Arabia's youth. A highly impressive 99 per cent of the workforce which keeps Saudi Aramco's facilities and pipelines operating efficiently is Saudi.

The company has developed a wide range of training schemes to meet the needs of Saudi trainees. As of the end of last year, there were just under 2,000 participants in the company's Apprenticeship Programme and more than 1,200 on Saudi Aramco scholarships.

Of the students on scholarships, many went on to secure places in North American colleges and universities.

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