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Saudi Arabia

Bassam Al Bokhari, CEO of EnergyTech, talks to The Energy Year about the pillars of the institute’s new strategic direction and developing training programmes to prepare Saudi talent for the challenges of Saudi Arabia’s evolving energy landscape. EnergyTech is a Saudi educational institute specialising in training for the energy industry.

What was the idea that led to the inception of EnergyTech?
Saudi Petroleum Services Polytechnic rebranded as EnergyTech last year after a thorough review by the board and the institute’s stakeholders. We evaluated our direction, our domestic and international roles, our alignment with Vision 2030 and how we could better serve the entire energy industry, not just one part. We also considered the sustainability of our institute.
After much deliberation, EnergyTech emerged as the embodiment of a new strategy designed for greater impact and success. 2025 marks the beginning of a journey focused on refining and optimising our programmes for sustainable growth and business transformation.
The word “energy” represents not only the energy industry but also reflects the drive and vitality of people and nations. It drives growth and empowers companies. “Tech” represents a broad spectrum of expertise, encompassing technology, technique and technical excellence. It reflects our commitment to innovation, skill development and pushing the boundaries of what is possible.
The rebranding was officially announced under the patronage and in the presence of HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud, Minister of Energy, at the 2024 Human Capability Initiative conference. It marked a significant transformation for us and our customers, reinforcing our commitment to supporting them with a clearer and more focused vision.

What are the key pillars of your new strategy?
Our strategy is driven by a commitment to support emerging industries. We will expand our programmes to include cutting-edge human capital development in renewable energy, hydrogen and petrochemicals, ensuring we are at the forefront of these critical sectors. Additionally, we will grow our national footprint, ensuring that EnergyTech’s influence and reach extend across Saudi Arabia, bringing value and innovation to every corner. Our vision is to be a premier centre of excellence delivering knowledge and skills to shape the workforce of the future.
Underpinning our strategy are five key pillars: transforming the business by embracing change and innovation, delivering growth and sustainable success by expanding our programmes and impact, enhancing operational excellence through continuous efficiency and effectiveness improvements, creating stakeholder value by building mutually beneficial relationships with all partners and empowering communities by investing in Saudi talent.

Could you comment on your partnership with the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (KACARE)?
We had been exploring a collaboration for a long time, and the introduction of our new strategy was the perfect opportunity to partner with KACARE. They are a reference in renewables, and our partnership is a transformative step in strengthening our ability to develop human resources for Saudi Arabia’s energy industry. It is designed to build and develop critical competencies in trainees, laying the foundation for a future where the energy workforce will be equipped with the skills to drive innovation and sustainability.
Moreover, we have signed an MoU with KACARE to expand our programmes, focusing on human capital development in renewable energy, knowledge exchange, and the empowerment of women in the energy sector.
At the core of this partnership is our shared commitment to advancing Saudi Arabia’s journey towards sustainable development. By aligning with KACARE, we are positioning ourselves at the forefront of the nation’s energy transition and contributing to the realisation of Vision 2030. Together, we aim to create a robust talent pool capable of meeting the challenges of the rapidly evolving energy landscape and unlocking new opportunities.

What programmes do you currently offer EnergyTech, and how do you ensure they effectively prepare trainees for their professional careers?
EnergyTech offers a comprehensive range of programmes designed to build expertise in various energy-related disciplines. Our portfolio includes vocational diploma programmes that lead to direct employment opportunities, short, specialised training programmes aimed at upskilling professionals in niche areas and engineering training for young professionals in the sector.
We also provide leadership programmes to nurture the next generations of industry leaders, industrial certifications to ensure professionals have the right skills and credentials and customised training to meet the specific needs of corporate clients.
To uphold the highest standards, EnergyTech’s programmes are accredited by 16 prestigious national and international awarding bodies. Our curriculum is built upon three core principles: industry relevance, skills integration and learner responsibility. Our training programmes in 13 specialised fields – mechanical, electrical, operations, welding, pipefitting, drilling, rigging, scaffolding, crane operations, HVAC, instrumentation, health and safety, and industrial security – are designed to ensure graduates are ready to step into the workforce.
We blend theoretical and practical training to ensure that trainees not only understand the principles behind their tasks but can also competently apply them in real-world settings. Additionally, our learner-centred approach encourages trainees to take ownership of their learning journey, helping to strengthen their professional development.

Have you set any priorities for broadening the technology component of your programmes and reaching a wider student population?
EnergyTech is committed to making an impact, and as part of our ongoing efforts to support local content initiatives, we plan to introduce several new training tracks and broaden our reach. These include renewables programmes to address the growing demand for expertise in sustainable energy, additional certifications for energy sector professionals and the augmentation of existing programmes to include training applicable to the industrial, construction, infrastructure and manufacturing industries, creating cross-sector synergies.
One of our objectives is to become a human capital development corporation, providing comprehensive solutions for long-term sustainability. In this context, EnergyTech will focus on enhancing its digital capabilities through the integration of advanced technologies such as virtual training, simulation tools and digital learning platforms, which will allow us to offer flexible, high-quality training while staying abreast of global industry trends. Improving our digital tools will also increase administrative and operational efficiency.
Geographically, we plan to expand EnergyTech’s presence across Saudi Arabia and make our programmes accessible to more communities. This expansion will better serve Saudi Arabia’s industrial and energy sectors and empower more young Saudis to join the workforce in the energy, infrastructure, manufacturing and construction industries.
As part of our mission to build a more inclusive and diverse workforce, we are committed to training and developing more women to enhance their participation in the energy sector. Through specialised programmes and targeted initiatives, we aim to create greater opportunities for women, fostering a more balanced and dynamic industry that benefits from the talents and contributions of all members of society. In 2022, our institute had only 18 women, and today, that number has grown to more than 400.

What is your vision for the future of EnergyTech?
EnergyTech’s vision is closely aligned with Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy, accelerate the growth of non-oil sectors and empower Saudi Arabia’s workforce to thrive. As one of the leading technical and vocational institutes in Saudi Arabia, we have proudly graduated more than 12,000 professionals who have gone on to play pivotal roles in the energy industry.
Our legacy of excellence is rooted in our state-of-the-art facilities, globally accredited programmes, diverse training offerings and commitment to local content initiatives and community welfare.
Looking ahead, EnergyTech is embarking on an exciting journey of transformation. The expansion of our programmes will address Saudi Arabia’s emphasis on renewable energy, hydrogen and the petrochemical sectors, ensuring Saudi professionals are equipped with the skills needed for these high-growth industries.
Furthermore, EnergyTech will strengthen its role as Saudi Arabia’s first strategic partnership institute, deepening collaborations with key industry companies, government entities and academic institutions.
EnergyTech will remain committed to sustainability and societal impact and meeting Saudi Arabia’s national objectives, including the target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2060. We will continue our focus on local content initiatives and community welfare, ensuring that the benefits of our programmes reach all areas of society and contribute to economic development.
With our commitment to excellence, innovation and collaboration, we are confident that EnergyTech will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping Saudi Arabia’s energy workforce and contributing to the country’s prosperity and long-term goals. We are determined to become an iconic institution that represents Saudi Arabia on the global stage, leading the way in energy training and development.

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