The Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard Company (Asry) has signed a co-operation agreement with Bahrain Polytechnic for launching an apprenticeship programme aimed at equipping national cadres with in-demand skills for the job market by combining practical training in various mechanical and electrical fields. 

 

Supported by the Labour Fund Tamkeen, the programme will help boost employment opportunities for the students and also help develop their careers, said Asry officials at the signing ceremony held in the company headquarters in the Hidd in the presence of the executive management of both parties.

 

The programme is also distinguished by its focus on the practical aspect, as 30% of registered students’ time is allocated to academic education, while 70% of their time is allocated to on-the-job training, for a period of 3 years, they added.

 

Lauding the key initiative, Asry Acting CEO Shaikh Mohamed bin Rashed Al Khalifa said: "Our extensive experience, high-quality work, and strong reputation in the regional maritime industry makes us a perfect fit for this programme. Initiatives like this align perfectly with Asry's vision: to invest in young Bahrainis and develop their skills to become future leaders in the maritime and industrial sectors."

 

"By empowering these young minds, we contribute directly to a stronger national economy," he noted. 

 

Bahrain Polytechnic CEO Professor Ciarán Ó Catháin said: "As a Bahraini government educational institution, we are closely aligned with the esteemed government's vision for 2050, which aims to enrich educational outcomes and cultivate specialised and exceptional talents in the job market."

 

"Therefore, the Polytechnic believes in the role of training in the development and enhancement of human resources skills, contributing to the supply of capable and qualified personnel to fill positions in the labour market," he stated. 

 

"The training is considered a strategic choice for entities aspiring to build a workforce capable of meeting the needs of work, developments, and rapid changes occurring in various fields," he added.

 

Prof Ó Catháin pointed out that its professional apprenticeship programmes enhance the principle of national partnership and unite joint efforts to invest in human capital, through the qualification and development of national cadres. 

 

This contributes to achieving the strategic goals of the Polytechnic within Bahrain's Economic Vision 2030, he stated.

 

Shaikh Duaij bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, the General Manager of Support Services and Senior Manager of the Human Resources Department, at Asry echoed this sentiment, stating that since its establishment, the company had consistently provided training opportunities for university students and graduates as part of its social responsibility, with the aim of refining their skills, expanding their capabilities, and qualifying them to enter the job market. 

 

This programme will provide an exceptional opportunity to 20 students, opening doors to a bright future after graduation, he added.