SPSP: Developing a Skilled Technical Workforce in Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Petroleum Services Polytechnic (SPSP) was established to meet the needs of the Petroleum Services Industry and to support the process of Saudization in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Founded in 2008, the SPSP is a not-for-profit entity governed by a Board of Trustees. The SPSP's mis...Read More

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Mission
Partner with major Petroleum Services companies to graduate quality Saudi Technical
Workforce who will serve the needs of the Petroleum Services Companies.
Vision
We envision ourselves as committed quality training providers that positively impact the growth
of Saudization of the technical workforce within the Petroleum Services Sector.
Values
 SAFETY
Developing and maintaining a culture of safety, health and care.
 DEVELOPING PEOPLE
Developing people to their highest potential.
 EXCELLENCE
Pursuing the highest standards in everything we do.
 FAIRNESS AND INTEGRITY
Respecting individuals and adhering to the highest ethical standards.
 TEAMWORK
Supporting each other and working as one team to achieve our goals.
 RESPONSIVENESS
Responding to the expectations of our customers and partners in a timely manner.
 INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
Proactively applying creative learning solutions and technologies.
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About Us
The original concept of SPSP was the idea of HE Eng. Ali Ibrahim Al-Naimi, the Minister of
Petroleum and Mineral Resources. His idea was to develop a training center that would provide
the petroleum services industry, within Saudi Arabia, with well trained and competent young
Saudi Nationals, thereby reducing the service companies’ reliance on an expatriate workforce.
This would also have the knock-on and well-trained effect of developing and enhancing
community and social growth programs and providing guaranteed jobs for the young Saudi men
entering SPSP.
The History of SPSP
SPSP was established to meet the needs of the Petroleum Services Industry and to support the
process of Saudization in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It was founded in 2008 by the Ministry
of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation, Saudi
Arabian Chevron and Aramco Gulf Operations Company. SPSP is a fully independent, not-for-
profit entity, which is governed by a Board of Trustees representing the major stakeholders in
SPSP. The Saudi petroleum services industry consists of a number of contracting companies
that service the oil exploration, drilling and production facilities in the oil fields throughout Saudi
Arabia. These contractors work in partnerships as contractors for major oil companies, such as
Saudi Aramco and Saudi Arabian Chevron Corporation. The industry is currently heavily
dependent on expatriate workers and therefore offers a major source of job opportunities for
well trained and qualified young Saudis. SPSP can provide the industrial training needed to fulfill
the Saudization requirements of the oil and gas industry. A number of leading Saudi
international petroleum services contractors support SPSP and many are represented on the
SPSP Board of Trustees. SPSP also has the full support of the Saudi Human Resource
Development Fund (HRDF). This collaboration and support has resulted in the development of a
number of industry-specific training programs that are delivered exclusively at SPSP. Young
Saudi graduates from SPSP will enter industry fully competent to fill a number of highly-skilled
technical jobs within the petroleum services sector.
Branches
As part of the aim of developing community and social growth within the Kingdom, SPSP has
recently established a polytechnic in the Al Khafji area. This new branch is capitalizing on the
high standards and quality of training available at SPSP in Dammam.
As well as providing fully equipped classrooms and workshops, the new campus at Al Khafji will
have a Learning Resource Center, as well as fitness and sports facilities, available to both
students and staff. The center will serve the needs of industry and will attract young Saudi youth
of the city.
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Programs (sub-menu)
Academic Program
English Language is the business language of the petroleum industry throughout the world.
Knowledge of English Language and the ability to communicate in English is key to success in
the petroleum industry, so all programs at SPSP are delivered through the medium of English.
All applicants to SPSP are assessed in English Language and Mathematics prior to entering the
Year 1 Academic Skills Program. Students are placed according to their English Language
ability on entry to SPSP.
The SPSP English Language program is delivered from Level 2 – Level 5, and the program
delivers English Language training within a technical context. Delivery is based around the most
up to date published English Language texts, and focuses on the kind of English Language
required for entry to vocational technical training programs, and for job-entry to the petroleum
services industry. Delivery of the program is through integrated four-skills development;
speaking, listening, reading and writing. All assessment is four-skills assessment, and the
emphasis is on what students can Do with their English i.e. competency-based assessment.
Students are strongly encouraged to communicate in English at all times, and all Key Skills
classes in Mathematics, Health and Safety and IT Studies are delivered entirely through English
Language.
The Academic Skills Program includes out of class Project Work, non classroom-based learning
activities, extra curricula learning activities such as Speak Up Club, as well as offering remedial
training to students who need it.
Technical Program
The Technical Programs have been designed to ensure that all graduates exit with certified and
accredited core vocational skills, an understanding of the petroleum services industry and
specialist skills in one technical area. In this way, graduates of the SPSP will retain open access
to continuing education through the internationally recognised Qualifications and Credit
Framework (QCF) and will add value to the operating companies on their employment after
graduation. Although delivered over a shorter period, the technical programs at the SPSP have
similarities with the UK’s highly successful Modern Apprenticeship program, which combines
Key Skills, an NVQ in Performing Engineering Operations and a Technical Certificate.
SPSP students are offered one of six technical Specialty Award programs following the
completion of the Academic Skills program: Mechanical, Electrical, Operations, Welding,
Pipefitting and Drilling.
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Contact Us (messaging form)
Prince Miteb bin Abdulaziz Rd.- Al-Ferdos Area
P.O. Box 2012
Dammam 31451, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Tel: [phone]
Fax [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]