Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) has announced that it will expand its Emirati management staff to 30 per cent within the next five years to complement nationwide Emiratization efforts.

 The company also unveiled plans to recruit retired naval personnel and enhance its current academic partnership with the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT).

ADSB, a world-class ship builder specializing in the construction, repair and refit of Naval, Military and Commercial vessels, currently employs 37 UAE Nationals in managerial positions and is set to accept 18 more by next year.

It also maintains an agreement on a three-year electro-mechanical and ship building technology diploma it signed with HCT in 2005 to hone the marine and supervisory skills of UAE Nationals.

Under the terms of the partnership, HCT students are exposed to ADSB operations in their second and third year, and work on an ADSB-related graduating project.

"We believe that UAE Nationals are essential to optimizing the potential of the country’s rapidly growing marine industry. The emirates has a rich marine history which can be prospered in the modern age through the talent and leadership of its citizens," said Homaid Al Shemmari, chairman of ADSB.

"This is why ADSB, which is a knowledge transfer company, continues to develop employment opportunities for UAE Nationals, so that our operations will be run efficiently for the benefit of the country, by the people of the Emirates," he added.

Founded in 1996 under the vision of General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Abu Dhabi Ship Building offers comprehensive 24-hour marine services through its shipyard in the Abu Dhabi city of Mussafah.

It follows global standards in its build, refit and maintenance projects and can work with steel, aluminium alloy and advanced composite materials, he added.-TradeArabia News Service