Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al-Sada, Qatar’s Minister of Energy and Industry, recently led the Energy and Industry sector’s 17th Annual Qatarisation Review Meeting, where a number of companies were honoured in recognition of their accomplishments in the Qatarisation programme.

The meeting was attended by Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, President and CEO of Qatar Petroleum (QP), as well as by senior officials and representatives from the 36 companies implementing the Strategic Qatarisation Plan of the energy and industry sector. Also present during the event were senior executives from Qatar’s education community.

The meeting began with a welcome message from Hamad Al-Hamadi, Chairman of the Strategic Qatarisation Committee, followed by a keynote address by the Minister of Energy and Industry. Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al-Sada praised the efforts of all organisations taking part in developing and implementing the Strategic Qatarisation Plan, which has grown from 18 to 36 companies.

We have achieved and maintained a Qatarisation percentage of 29% on the road to reaching our goal of a 50% Qatari workforce. The number of Qataris employed by the energy and industry sector has tripled from 2,900 to 9,300 in 16 years.

The minister also highlighted the sector’s need for high calibre candidates and employees. He said that it’s important that the curricula offered by educational and technical institutions are aligned to the specific requirements of the sector. He also praised the responsiveness of the educational partners to their needs.

Process operators, maintenance technicians, and vocationally trained staff are vital to our industry. It is crucial we place greater emphasis on making those positions more attractive and equally rewarding for Qataris. We must find ways to raise awareness of the importance of these positions.’

The 17th Annual Qatarisation Review Meeting featured presentations highlighting the sector’s progress in implementing their Qatari human capital strategies in support of the Qatar National Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy. A high-level review of the Qatarisation plan within the sector was presented by Noor Al-Sooj, Reservoir Engineer at QP, Noora Al-Kaabi, Production Specialist at Qatar Shell GTL, and Saood Al-Hammadi, Job and Organisation Analyst at Kahramaa. This was followed by a slideshow of the Executive Statistical Report. Dr Al-Sada and QP President and CEO Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi presented the sector’s 9th Annual Qatarisation Awards in recognition of companies which exhibited Qatarisation excellence in 2016.

The recipients of the prestigious Qatarisation Crystal Awards were Qatar Petrochemical Company Limited ‘QAPCO’ for Support and Liaison with the Education Sector; Qatar Gas Transport Company ‘Nakilat’ for Supporting Qatarisation; Qatargas Operating Company Limited for Support for Training and Development; RasGas Company Limited for Supporting Student Sponsorships; and Qatar Fuel Company ‘Woqod’ for Best Qatarisation Progress.

In addition, Annual Qatarization Certificates were also presented to Dolphin Energy Limited for Support and Liaison with the Education Sector; Qatar Chemical Company ‘Q-Chem’ for Supporting Qatarisation; Qatar Steel Company for Support for Training and Development; and Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation ‘Kahramaa’ for Supporting Student Sponsorships.