UAE-based Siddco Group and Italy’s Istituto Italiano della Saldatura (IIS) have partnered to provide internationally recognised training and certification programmes to Emirati and non-Emirati professionals across the UAE.

The training centre is part of Siddco Group’s new facility, iNGENIUM, based in Abu Dhabi Port’s Khalifa industrial zone (Kizad).

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed at Kizad, under the patronage of the Italian Ambassador to the UAE, Giorgio Starace, following the SMA signing for Siddco Group’s new, Dh130 million ($35 million) engineering facility, iNGENIUM.

During the SMA ceremony, Siddco unveiled that iNGENIUM, a state-of-the-art facility which will deliver precision automated engineering and fabrication for the regional oil and gas sector, will also include a dedicated training centre backed by IIS, the renowned Italian non-profit welding and metallurgical sciences institute, to promote innovation and improvement in the field of engineering and technology across the UAE.

“At Siddco we believe in nurturing skills and aspirations while empowering individuals to perform and deliver results. The planned training centre will help facilitate jobs for UAE nationals and expats within the fields of engineering and technology. Training will be available not only for its iNGENIUM employees, but accessible to the personnel of local and international oil and gas companies as well,” said Zakee Siddiqi, chairman and CEO Siddco Group.

Alberto Lauro, CEO, Istituto Italiano della Saldatura, said: “Our aim is to increase, spread and adopt know-how of welding innovations and other elements of the field. The MoU signed with Siddco defines our role of ensuring that expert technology transfer and training is provided to the local community to support the creation of technical independence and skilled personnel.”

With iNGENIUM, Siddco and IIS aim to support the continued development of a skilled workforce by creating jobs and empowering local talent in the fields of engineering and technology. Once complete, the training centre will provide both theoretical and practical programmes – focused on welding operators, coordinators and inspectors – in addition to certifications – the first-of-its-kind in the GCC.

“Continuous growth in the oil and gas sector has led to the demand for training and certification facilities like the one at iNGENIUM,” said Augusto Di Pietro, director business development, Siddco Group.

“The new facility is representative of the Group’s commitment to Abu Dhabi Economic Vision, including the core pillars of economic diversification and progression of talented UAE Nationals. It will create opportunities for both businesses and individuals throughout the Emirate,” he added. – TradeArabia News Service