QU and TAMUQ representatives observe the Qapco apprenticeship programme.
The future of our industry depends on the talent we nurture today, Dr Mohamed Yousef al-Mulla, vice-chairman and CEO of Qatar Petrochemical Company (Qapco), said recently.
Qapco, one of the leading petrochemical powerhouses in the Middle East and a pioneer in polymer production, had recently invited senior academics from Qatar University (QU) and Texas A&M University at Qatar (TAMUQ) to visit its petrochemical plants in Mesaieed to witness first-hand its new apprenticeship programme.
The apprenticeship programme is a one-year training programme that will offer young people a new route into the oil and gas industry and play a key role in satisfying the job demands.
Dr al-Mulla said, “Our apprenticeship programme is an exciting new training initiative that will be instrumental in taking Qapco forward; it will enable us to further recruit skilled, ambitious graduates.
“More importantly, it provides the graduates a rewarding leap into the real world, allowing them to grow and expand their skill base to move on to the next level in their career.
“The future of our industry depends on the talent we nurture today. Specific and technical skills harnessed over time need to be passed over to the new generation.”
Abdulla Naji, Qapco’s Learning & Development manager, said: “The apprenticeship programme has been designed to overcome perceived barriers to the creation of apprenticeships, especially in Qatar. I believe that this programme will be a model of best practice for the industry as we bring together the academic theory of university and college education and combine it with practical, hands-on training that will develop the fundamental technical skills required by our operational staff.”
Mohamed Saleh, one of the apprentices, said: “I am really happy to be part of the Qapco apprenticeship programme. I was surprised to discover how many young people left university with technical degrees, but were unable to find work. Qapco has created a great option for us as we are now receiving excellent training plus salary and many other benefits.”
