Training has significantly driven the company’s Saudisation programme as it has successfully addressed the basic issues of attracting and retaining qualified Saudis in a number of production jobs.

ZAC’s current Saudisation ratio is 40 per cent.
 “Saudisation has remained a key staffing strategy and annual increases of 5 per cent in the number of its Saudi employees have been targeted,” said Abdul Mohsin Al Ghamdi, director of Corporate Administration & Human Resources at Zamil Industrial Investment Company (ZIIC), of which ZAC is a component. “This means reaching the 45 per cent and 50 per cent levels by the end of 2005 and 2006 respectively,”
Training is conducted in multi-purpose training rooms spread across company premises. One such room has been equipped with product models and prototypes and computer simulation specifically for skills and development of various levels of mechanics and technicians.
The company’s current major initiative is aimed at consolidating all training facilities and programmes in a central facility called the Zamil Training Institute.
Currently, most programmes are geared towards high-volume production jobs. Curriculum designs are competency-based and job specific combining classroom modules and structured on-the-job training with greater emphasis on the latter.
Classroom modules include communication skills in English, work values, quality, safety, housekeeping and measurements. These are complemented with 3 to 6 months on-the-job training where the trainees are taught skills in machine operation, product assembly or part fabrication, depending on the area or manufacturing operations where they are assigned. The OJT (on-the-job training) component is regularly monitored in terms of trainee progress against the training plan. Results of such monitoring are routinely analysed to examine training effectiveness, options for further training and training turnover.
In terms of on-going training curriculum development, the Zamil Training Institute’s will soon offer one-year diploma programmes in: refrigeration and air-conditioning technology; welding and fabrication technology; and production technology.
The company plans to expand its facilities in the near future.
“One of the company’s major training initiatives starting this year is the establishment of a central and dedicated training institute aimed at providing accredited diploma programmes, short courses and other forms of training to address primarily Saudisation targets of ZAC and other companies under ZIIC,” said Al Ghamdi.