A Singapore-based oilfield engineering firm has signed a deal with the National Institute for Industrial Training (NIIT) to train Bahrainis in technical careers and hire them in the company's new division in the kingdom.

MTQ Corporation deals with oilfield equipment repairs and rental operations to a wide range of customers in the oil and gas industry. NIIT conducted tests for jobseekers who were then interviewed by MTQ before selecting 15, who will undergo two-phases of training.

The first is for nine months, and the second is for 15 months, with an objective of graduating highly-trained technicians in the mechanical, welding and fabricating, and quality fields, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

 The trainees have already started their first phase, receiving an eight-hour practical and theoretical training a day at the NIIT headquarters in Hidd industrial area.

"We are proud to sign this agreement with a big company that specialises in oil fields services, the most important sector in Bahrain's economy and the region," NIIT assistant director Abdullah Mohammed said.

"This sector requires highly trained technicians to deliver high quality jobs."

MTQ opened its well-resourced American petroleum approved facility in Bahrain in 2011 on an area of 40,000 sqm.

It has sizeable fleet of advanced lathe machines, welding machines, testing facilities and load testing facilities of up to 750 tonnes, an ample equipment storage space, as well as a range of oilfield engineering, repair and refurbishment services.

NIIT business development manager Ali Al Noory said signing this contract is an achievement that they are proud of, as it opens new horizons for NIIT to work with a wide range of clients that specialise in fields in line with their specialty.

NIIT was established five years ago by a group of 53 business leaders to train Bahrainis to enhance their chances of employment. NIIT works with 800 companies in Bahrain that specialises in engineering, commerce, and industrial fields.

NIIT's key clients included Asry, Alba and others.

Besides industrial training, NIIT also provides special training in management skills, computing and other office-related jobs.

It also plans to provide training for females in the near future.

MTQ workshop manager Steve Harvey said MTQ Oilfield Services is delighted to sign this agreement with NIIT.

"We are fully-committed to training young Bahrainis for the future of both the company and also the local workforce.

"This training programme is an ideal opportunity for young Bahrainis to learn a trade which will stand them in good stead for the future.

"We have taken on 15 Bahrainis who will be trained as CNC machinists, QC technicians, maintenance engineers and qualified welders and we are delighted to offer the candidates the opportunity to work in the ever-expanding oil and gas sector.

"This is the first phase of our long-term commitment of investing in the Bahraini workforce and enhancing the skill set and expertise in this industry," he said.-TradeArabia News Service