AFRICA
facility was also the first in Iraq to obtain API and ISO licences , he adds .
In Iraq 50 percent of the highly committed workforce is local and Weir is investing in improving the country ’ s engineering skills base . It runs a state of the art training and apprenticeship programme for its own employees and makes it available to its partners . Petroleum Development Oman ( PDO ) is a case in point : Weir has a contract with PDO to give Omani nationals mechanical and professional training as well as workshop management . “ We train them on the job , and that contract went so well that PDO has extended it for the next six years and added 40 people to that training programme . It has been accredited by the ECITB , so we certify those national engineers with a proper vocational engineering qualification .”
Capital may be tight , but production needs to be maintained when oil and gas are the main sources of prosperity . “ Our strategy is simple ,” says Vikas Handa . “ We are in this business for the long term . I have seen many downturns in my career though this one is probably the most challenging so far . But we will see it through and there are always opportunities . That ’ s why we are investing in new products and new facilities , ensuring we can grow market share by being even closer to customers delivering engineering solutions they need , when they need them .
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