Bahrain will encourage education and training in the oil and gas industry to boost efficiency, Energy Minister Dr Abdulhussain Mirza said.

Speaking during the opening of Getenergy Village at MEOS 2011, he said education and training ensure the industry is moving efficiently and safely and that young men and women can contribute to its continuation.

Getenergy, an independent facilitator of a global marketplace in knowledge and services relating to education and training for the oil and gas industry, is a UK-based company having close links with governments, oil companies, universities and training providers from around the world.

The company works closely with UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) to build its business in the Middle East and is running its education and training events at MEOS.

'We are keen to ensure we reduce dependence on foreign workers and encourage our own countrymen and women to participate in nation-building,' he said.

He added that education and training played a more important part than any of the other aspects of the industry.

'It is the education and training that enables us to ensure that the industry operates effectively, efficiently and safely.'

He said Getenergy is dedicated to the learning side of both the upstream and downstream industries. 'It is very good to see them here again as part of MEOS.'

Dr Mirza said it was encouraging to have education, training, and learning embedded in this way within an event covering the whole industry.

'We should not separate the learning side from the operation of the upstream industry because in this way everyone is involved in contributing to the vital business of improving skills and competencies and ensuring that the oil and gas companies get the quality and expertise they need to succeed.'

He said Bahrain is engaged in an education and training reform programme that aims to produce people who would be attractive to employers in this and other industries.

'This village is a great chance for companies to learn more about this, as well as what is happening in learning in other countries.'

Getenergy chief executive officer Phil Andrews said Bahrain presented itself as an excellent location, with a welcoming atmosphere that attracts people from across the GCC region.

'We value the combination of in-country experience and British perspective that UKTI brought to our discussions,' he said.-TradeArabia News Service