Emerson Automation Solutions has started its Beginners Integration Training (BIT) Programme, recruiting 15 Saudi nationals who have recently graduated from top universities and institutes in Saudi Arabia and the US.

The recruitment and training programme, which is consistent with Emerson’s global commitment to invest in local resourcing and communities where its customers are, is planned to be conducted annually with a minimum of 15 graduates who will be hired to full-time positions with the company each year, said a statement from the company.

The newly recruited graduates will occupy technical (electronics, instrumentation, computer science, chemical and mechanical engineering) and non-technical positions (such as logistics, finance, marketing, administration, and document control). This recruitment and training programme reflects Emerson’s continued commitment to invest and further economic development within the region, it said.

It is designed to support the In-Kingdom Total Value Add (IKTVA) program me by driving localisation and job creation in the region through the development of local talent.

The training, allowing the participants to be exposed to the various operations involved with Systems and Solutions through several courses, is expected to be completed within less than a year. Performance of participants will be measured through progress reports, training examinations, and program me milestone reviews.

The first group of new hires for Emerson’s programme started during the first week of July, it said.

Liam Hurley, general manager of Emerson Automation Solutions in Saudi Arabia, said: “Even after the first week, the standard set by this group of employees is very high and reaffirms our long-term vision for this programme.”

“I am very excited about Emerson’s future in Saudi Arabia having this team on-board and look forward now to seeing how the group grows and develops throughout the programme,” he said.

Emerson’s continued efforts to provide support for Saudi Arabia includes the development of their facilities in Dammam First Industrial City and Dhahran Techno Valley.

The facility located in Dammam First Industrial City opened early this year to provide services such as engineering, staging, commissioning, operational support, maintenance support, repair, field services, and training support to customers in the capital of Saudi Arabia’s eastern region.

Emerson’s facility in Dhahran Techno Valley, which is scheduled to be completed in October 2017, has been designed to add research and development capabilities to Emerson’s existing footprint in the kingdom.