Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard Company (Asry) has signed a deal with the National Institute of Industrial Training (NIIT) to train 50 Bahraini graduates of secondary technical schools at a cost of $3.8 million over three years with support from Tamkeen.

'Asry will continue to support the national economy by increasing investment in this vital industry, and is committed to developing a comprehensive training and development portfolio for Bahrainis,' Asry chairman Shaikh Daij bin Salman Al Khalifa said.

'As a flagship of the country's industrial sector, Asry aims to boost this important part of the economy in a locally sustainable way.'

Asry chief executive officer Chris Potter said the programme targets 50 Bahraini graduates from technical schools and institutions in Bahrain, with a view to contributing to a training scheme designed in co-operation with NIIT and Tamkeen.

The contribution amounts to $3.8 million over the next three years, and includes integration into Asry's workforce.

'There are a variety of trade skills at Asry which this programme will cater for perfectly - mechanical, electrical and steel plating are all examples of areas that can absorb these trainees.

'We're proud to offer them employment at Asry as they go through the training at NIIT and at the company's training centre.'

He emphasised that this step is the first in a series of initiatives towards establishing a dedicated training school for shipbuilding and associated services.

'Through a series of preliminary partnerships and negotiations with international firms these plans are now in motion, with the ultimate goal of positioning Bahrain as a leading provider of such services.

'The idea of establishing a training school for this industry is a pioneering step enthusiastically supported by the board of directors,' Potter said.

Asry's financial consultant Abdul Wahid Ahmed Abdul Rahman said the project is the brainchild of Potter, with the inspiration coming from a mission to create a new Bahraini generation capable of assuming shipbuilding mechanical and electrical positions as the numerous opportunities arise.

'Expatriates still form the majority of holders of these positions and, therefore, the chief executive's outlook is to train 50 Bahrainis in the first three years, with other numbers to follow if the project has achieved its objectives,' Abdul Rahman said.

He also confirmed that the chief executive and management, with the support of the board of directors, are keen to start a vocational training school to create middle class Bahraini technicians in the various technical business areas of the industrial leader.

'A participating student will receive a stipend of BD150 a month, increasing to BD170 in the second year and to BD200 in the third year,' he noted.

'The project will be financed 50 per cent by Tamkeen and 50 per cent by Asry with the co-operation of the NIIT at Khalifa Bin Salman Port. Practical training will be provided within the company's departments and sections,' he said.

He explained that the 50 students will be employed by Asry according to their qualifications.

A student will be awarded a certificate on completing the first year and on completing the second year. A trainee can take up a job after the first or second year and will be recruited as per rules and regulations.

Abdul Rahman said training will include theoretical and practical learning at the company's training centre, which Asry is developing to become a source of expertise for its own requirements and for other national industrial firms.-TradeArabia News Service