• Two-year programme held in association with the Higher Colleges of Technology- Fujairah and Tanmia
• Aimed at empowering UAE nationals for rewarding careers in the oil & gas sector
• Highlights growing stature of Fujairah as the Middle East hub for the petroleum industry

Fujairah, UAE; August, 2009: Vopak Horizon Fujairah Limited (VHFL), operators of the first independent onshore oil terminal outside the Arabian Gulf in Fujairah, has joined hands with the Higher Colleges of Technology - Fujairah and Tanmia to launch the first-ever focused training programme for UAE nationals empowering them for rewarding careers in the petroleum sector.

To commence in October 2009, the Petroleum Operator training programme will train 20 young Emiratis for 2 years period  for potential careers in Vopak Horizon, ENOC or other organisations in Fujairah’s petroleum sector. The two-year technical training and development programme will cover personal development skills apart from oil & gas sector related technical education.

Walter Moone, General Manager, Vopak Horizon, said: ‘The Petroleum Operator training programme is the first of its kind initiative in Fujairah, aimed specially at empowering young UAE nationals for careers in the petroleum sector in the Emirate. This is particularly relevant given the fast pace of growth of Fujairah as the petroleum hub of the Middle East region. It is imperative that we create a workforce of trained UAE nationals to lead this growth.’

He added: ‘The training programme is a direct response to the demand from young UAE nationals and their keenness to pursue careers in the petroleum sector. The programme is therefore socially relevant and will contribute to more career opportunities for UAE nationals in the Northern Emirates in the highly rewarding oil & gas sector.’

To be executed and organised by Higher Colleges of Technology- Fujairah, the programme offers career opportunities for UAE nationals as terminal operators  and certified petroleum terminal operators. Upon completion of the programme, students will get a certificate from the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), which is closely involved in student enrolment, delivering the courses, providing course material, classroom facilities and student evaluation.

Admissions are open for UAE nationals between 18 to 23 years of age, and who have completed Grade 12.
CEPA English and Mathematics scores will be selection criteria. Potential candidates must also attend an interview and show a positive attitude towards the programme, apart from having parental consent. Fujairah Tanmia will assist the programme by providing CVs of potential candidates and also assist in complying with legal requirements.

The curricula covers library skills, computer skills, English communication, Mathematics skills, basic engineering measurement, teamwork, safety awareness, fundamentals of ship technology, electrical physics, workshop practice, environmental science, introduction to instrumentation and control systems and hydraulics. The students will also have hands-on work experience at the Vopak Horizon Terminal, which already has a storage capacity of 1.5 million cubic metres.

Vopak Horizon is a joint venture between the ENOC Group, Royal Vopak from the Netherlands, the Government of Fujairah and Kuwait’s Independent Petroleum Group. ISO 9002 and ISO 14001 certified, the company is designed to handle a range of petroleum products including light and middle distillates, heavy ends and other blend components.

Here you can apply online.

About Vopak Horizon Fujairah Ltd

Vopak Horizon Fujairah Ltd is a joint venture between the ENOC Group, Royal Vopak from the Netherlands, the Government of Fujairah and Kuwait’s Independent Petroleum Group. Since 1999, Vopak Horizon Fujairah Ltd. operates the first independent onshore oil terminal outside the Arabian Gulf, in the Emirate of Fujairah.
Vopak Horizon Fujairah, which has been awarded ISO-9002 and ISO-14001 certification, is designed to handle a wide range of petroleum products, including light and middle distillates, heavy ends and various blend components. The terminal can accommodate tankers of up to 175,000 d.w.t. Vopak Horizon Fujairah, designed to state-of-the-art specifications, complies with the most stringent safety and environmental standards.

About ENOC

Established in 1993 as a wholly-owned company of the Government of Dubai, ENOC aims to promote the interests of its shareholders through the development of further downstream and upstream activities in the oil and gas sector and beyond, and to encourage the economic diversification of Dubai and the rest of the UAE.
ENOC’s vision is to be a leading regional integrated oil & gas group that is highly profitable and socially responsible towards employees, the community and environment. Driving this vision, ENOC is committed to achieving sustainable development and highly profitable growth and serving the growing energy needs of Dubai.
ENCO strives to attract, develop and retain top talent to become the employer of choice, while adopting latest technologies and implementing best practices to achieve world-class performance. ENOC is also focused on meeting and exceeding customer expectations in terms of quality and service, and in maintaining high industry standards with respect to environment, health and safety. ENOC actively participates in an increasingly broad range of business ventures. Its joint ventures with major international companies allow partners to pool their technology, know-how and expertise along with their resources to further their commercial success. Since its inception, ENOC has been guided by its philosophy of quality and professional management based on modern business concepts for commercial success and sustainable growth. Today it is poised to engineer a new and challenging period of growth and diversity.

For further information, please contact:
Hiba Al Hafidh/ Sara Hamam
ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller
Tel: +971-4-3344550
Fax: +971-4-3344556
Email: h.alhafidh@asdaa.com/s.hamam@asdaa.com