ADNOC Technical Institute revamp reinforces commitment to Emiratis

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), today, announced the revamp of the ADNOC Technical Institute, which has been launched as the ADNOC Technical Academy (ATA), reinforcing the company’s commitment to investing in, and cultivating, young Emiratis’ professional development and building the next generation of ADNOC technicians and operators.

As part of ATA’s revamp, over the past year a wide range of its technical training, services and offerings have been comprehensively reviewed and enhanced – from curricula and operations to training facilities and recruitment criteria – further providing students with cutting-edge classroom and on-the-job training.

The launch event was attended by Dr. Sultan bin Ahmad Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State and ADNOC Group CEO; special guests; ADNOC Executive Management and Group Company CEOs; and ATA’s Leadership, Board of Trustees, staff, instructors, students and alumni.

Dr. Al Jaber emphasized the critical role ATA has played ADNOC’s successful growth. "The ADNOC Technical Academy has been a center of excellence for nearly 40 years, equipping young Emiratis with the education and technical training needed to forge successful careers as specialists with ADNOC," he said.

"As ADNOC delivers on its 2030 smart-growth strategy, our employees will remain our most precious asset. To meet upstream, midstream and downstream demand for highly skilled professional operators and technicians, ATA will train more than 350 students per year. These roles are of utmost importance to our future success, ensuring that our sites continue to run safely, efficiently and reliably. In line with UAE Leadership’s focus on empowerment and development of youth, ADNOC Technical Academy remains committed to developing young Emiratis into the UAE’s technicians and operators of the future."

Established in 1978, the ADNOC Technical Academy has provided education and technical training to more than 5,000 UAE nationals, who, upon graduation, joined ADNOC’s workforce. Many of those who graduated now hold senior positions within the company, including Dr. Mohamed Taleb Al Menhali, who has served as Manager of the Academy since 2016.

Reflecting on the ATA’s rich history and bright future, Dr. Al Menhali said: "The demand for highly competent technicians and field operators has never been higher. As a leading education and technical training provider, it is our role not only to attract dedicated and talented Emirati youth to the oil and gas industry, but to then train and develop them so that they can play an integral role in ADNOC’s future success. To do so, we have ensured that our entire organization – workshops, smart classrooms, science laboratories, simulation and multimedia centres, laboratories – is equipped with world-class instructors and cutting-edge training facilities."

The ATA’s in-class and simulated trainings are designed to equip students with the wide-range of mechanical, technical and instrumental skills needed to control oil and gas industry processes. The academy has also introduced a new 2.5-year program that combines a year of classroom learning, followed by a year and half of on-the-job training. This new curriculum integrates the latest technological advancements to ensure ATA graduates are well-prepared to work in ADNOC’s modern and innovative operational environments.

Based in Al Shawamekh, Abu Dhabi, the ADNOC Technical Academy is a large purpose-built campus with educational, technical and recreational facilities, in addition to a hostel that houses more than 500 students. It employs best-in-class educators and instructors from around the globe to ensure that students receive high-level general education and technical training before entering ADNOC’s workforce.