The Secretary-General of the Saudi Council of Engineers, Engineer Abdel Nasser Al-Abdullatif, confirmed that the growth and development witnessed by the Kingdom in projects imposes an increasing need for engineering, and the qualification and empowerment of the Saudi engineer.
Al-Abdullatif explained during the Saudi Contracting Conference, which is being held in Riyadh, that the Engineering Authority signed agreements with relevant parties to develop appropriate training programs ending with employment to qualify national cadres in projects, and it established 50 training programs that benefited more than 23,000 trainees, both male and female, and contributed to the employment of more than 1,500 male and female citizens.
He stated that the Authority launched initiatives in cooperation with various government and private agencies, which resulted in the implementation of the system for practicing professional accreditation and its executive regulations, the requirement of professional accreditation to practice engineering work, the localization of engineering professions, and an increase in their percentage in the sector, in addition to the launch of a “Qualified” Platform to employ newly graduated Saudi engineers in their various specializations and to be a reference for establishments, companies and engineering offices, and to update them based on the needs of the labor market.
During his speech at the conference, Al-Abdullatif pointed out that the Authority organized 11 training courses in green buildings, which included preparation for the Green Building Fellowship Test and the introduction to the green building evaluation system in addition to the Saudi Green Building Code. He noted the active role that the Authority plays in the Saudi Building Code Committee, as it contributes to Establishing a code for green buildings. It also organizes many awareness events in green buildings and sustainability and media campaigns to educate the engineering community about sustainability and green buildings.
With regard to supporting the use of modern technologies in construction, the Secretary General of the Authority indicated that more than 500,000 members have been registered and are being made aware of modern technologies in construction during various courses and events in cooperation with the relevant authorities and signing agreements with educational bodies to improve and develop specializations and cadres working in the engineering field, noting The Saudi Council of Engineers continues effective communication with educational institutions in the Kingdom with the aim of discussing the needs of the labor market in the field of engineering and ensuring the quality of educational, academic and qualification outcomes.