Abu Dhabi Ports hosts MoU signing between SIDDCO Group and Istituto Italiano della Saldatura to deliver first-of-its-kind training and certification programmes in the region

MoU will see the companies invest in enhancing local knowledge and aiding career development for Emirati Nationals and expats at new dedicated SIDDCO iNGENIUM training centre in Kizad

7 June, 2015: Abu Dhabi, UAE: Abu Dhabi Ports hosted the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between SIDDCO Group and Istituto Italiano della Saldatura (ISS), that will see the two organizations collaborate to provide internationally recognised training and certification programmes to Emirati and non-Emirati professionals in Abu Dhabi and across the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The training centre is part of SIDDCO Group’s new facility, iNGENIUM, based in Abu Dhabi Port’s Khalifa industrial zone (Kizad).

The MoU was signed at Kizad, under the patronage of the Italian Ambassador to the UAE, H.E. Giorgio Starace, following the SMA signing for SIDDCO Group’s new, AED 130 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”, stated Mr. Zakee Siddiqi, Chairman and CEO SIDDCO Group.

Mr. Alberto Lauro, CEO, Istituto Italiano della Saldatura, added, “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”, stated Mr. Augusto Di Pietro, Director Business Development, SIDDCO Group. Commenting on the MoU, Mr. Di Pietro added, “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.”