Kent and Nesma & Partners’ NHTI Sign Strategic MoU to Advance Saudi Workforce Development

Kent, a global integrated engineering and project delivery company, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nesma High Training Institute (NHTI), Nesma & Partners’ vocational and professional training arm, establishing a strategic collaboration to develop and deliver industry-driven technical and vocational training programs across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The agreement establishes a framework for collaboration that combines Kent’s global expertise in engineering, commissioning, and leadership development with NHTI’s established training platform. Through this partnership, the organisations will develop new engineering, commissioning, and leadership training programs aligned with local and international standards to strengthen workforce capabilities across critical sectors in the Kingdom.

The collaboration will enhance training facilities, equipment, and delivery readiness to ensure high-quality program implementation. It will also establish clear accreditation, certification, and quality assurance pathways and apply flexible, modern, technology-enabled training models.

In addition, the partnership will enable structured knowledge transfer and long-term institutional capability building within Saudi Arabia. It will create new career pathways for school leavers, college graduates, and early-career professionals, while supporting Saudisation objectives.

The MoU signing ceremony took place at Nesma & Partners’ Head Office in Khobar and was attended by Rami Alturki, Chairman of Nesma & Partners, Samer Abdul Samad, President and CEO, and members of the Group’s executive leadership. The Kent delegation was led by John Gilley, CEO of Kent, accompanied by senior leaders from the company’s regional and global teams.

Commenting on the signing, John Gilley, Chief Executive Officer of Kent said:

“This agreement is about far more than training programs; it’s about building long-term economic strength through skills, capability, and local expertise. By combining Kent’s global engineering, commissioning, and leadership experience with NHTI’s established training platform, we are supporting the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030: developing a highly skilled national workforce, strengthening local value creation, and creating sustainable career pathways that will underpin the future of the Kingdom’s energy sector.”

Samer Abdul Samad, President & CEO of Nesma & Partners, added:

“This MoU reflects our commitment to building sustainable national capabilities through strategic industry partnerships. By combining NHTI’s vocational training expertise with Kent’s global experience, we are strengthening workforce readiness and supporting the Kingdom’s long-term human capital development objectives.”

The MoU marks the formal launch of the partnership and the next phase of joint program development, reinforcing a shared commitment to advancing Saudi talent development. The agreement underscores Nesma & Partners’ role in supporting localisation efforts and Saudi Vision 2030, while strengthening institutional and industrial capabilities across the Kingdom.