Progressing its career drive for Saudi citizens, Zamil Industrial Investment Company (ZIIC) has put 74 young Saudis it recently hired through a significant training program as part of a strategy to fill 160 positions earmarked within its four sector businesses for citizens.
Forming the first phase of a localization strategy, the trainees recently completed full-time classroom and workshop-based theoretical and practical training at the company’s Training Centre and at Dammam Technical College. The specializations offered were ‘Fitting and Metal Fabrication’, ‘Machine Operation’, and ‘Welding’.
According to Abdulla M. Al Zamil, Chief Operating Officer, ZIIC, the carefully planned and structured training program aims to develop core competencies in alignment with the growing business requirements of the international manufacturing and fabrication group.
“As a Saudi Arabian entity, ZIIC is committed to supporting the local community and this naturally includes ensuring that we cultivate the talents and skills of the Kingdom’s young human resources.
“In addition to the core training, the 74 - who form part of our current drive to recruit a total of 160 new staff - were also given ‘soft skills’ training. These skills included innovative thinking and conflict resolution, team work, creating good working relationships, communication, time management and other essential skills to instill discipline and perseverance at work, to respect regulations and labor laws and to foster a sense of belonging within the organization.”
ZIIC’s earlier negotiated agreement with Dammam Technical College ensures these and future recruits can take advantage of enhanced training facilities made available through improved coordination and interaction between ZIIC and publicly available training facilities.
“These programs not only provide a foundation for acquiring basic work-related skills to accomplish work tasks more effectively but also facilitate the development of positive work ethics and character; and the trainees may also pursue more advanced programs at a later stage. This is also part of our Saudization strategy where assistance is given to supporting and encouraging our young Saudi staff to improve their performance and accelerate their career progress and gain professional fulfillment,” concluded Dr. Mohamed Sharif, ZIIC Training Manager.
ZIIC actively promotes the advancement of Saudi nationals at all levels. This recruitment and training drive is the most recent addition to the various components of the organization’s overall Saudization initiative. This initiative also includes the sponsorship of students for higher education purposes and the provision of post-graduate programs for ‘fast track’ managerial staff positions. In addition, ZIIC’s on-the-job training programs are fully accredited by the General Organization for Technical Education and Vocational Training. The group of 74 now adds to a growing number of nationals in ZIIC’s business units in different fields of work.
About Zamil Industrial Investment Company
Zamil Industrial Investment Company (ZIIC) was founded in 1998. It is headquartered in Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and employs more than 6,500 people in 55 countries. As an international manufacturing and fabrication group, it provides leading air conditioning, pre-engineered steel buildings, structural steel products, process equipment, transmission and telecommunications towers, open web joists and decks, architectural glass processing and fiberglass insulation solutions to meet the requirements of the global construction industry through its four sector businesses: Zamil Air Conditioners (www.zamilac.com), Zamil Steel Industries (www.zamilsteel.com), Zamil Glass Industries (www.zamilglass.com) and Arabian Fiberglass Insulation Co. Ltd. (www.afico.com.sa).
For the year ended 31 December 2005, ZIIC posted turnover of SAR 2.4 billion/USD 631.9 million, a growth of 20.5% over 2004, with net profit, after Zakat contribution, of SAR 106.4 million/USD 28.4 million. Post Zakat Earnings per Share also grew by 51.6% to SAR 15.19/USD 4.05, up from SAR 10.02/USD 2.67 during the same period in 2004. Shareholders’ equity grew by 18.7% to SAR 587.5 million/USD 156.7 million. Export sales accounted for SAR 934 million/USD 249 million representing 39% of total revenues and 5% growth over 2004. ZIIC exports to more than 80 international markets.
ZIIC shares are actively traded on the Saudi Stock Market. More information can be found at www.ziic.com.
