Bechtel, a global leader in engineering, procurement and construction, has launched a pioneering women’s empowerment program in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Working with Al Khaleej Training and Education organization, the program aims to increase women’s participation in the country’s workforce through training and job placement of women with undergraduate degrees.
“Bechtel’s partnership with Al Khaleej Training and Education is grounded in 75 years of our commitment to Saudi Arabia and its people,” said Abdulrahman Al-Ghabban, Bechtel’s country manager. “Together, we are supporting the country’s Vision 2030 goal to increase women’s participation in the workforce to 30%. The Bechtel team in Saudi Arabia is honored to be part of this visionary effort in the country that is such an important part of our company’s 120-year history.” Al-Ghabban noted that this is not Bechtel’s first workforce enhancement program in the Kingdom. In 2017, the company began a partnership with Riyadh College of Technology to train and hire up to 75 students upon graduation.
The Women’s Empowerment program includes training courses in English language, information technology, and computer skills. The first group of candidates are expect to begin training in this fall.
Bechtel has worked in Saudi Arabia for 75 years developing landmark projects that have transformed the country. Major infrastructure, industrial, and energy projects include development and expansion of Jubail and Ras Al Khair Industrial cities working with the Royal Commission of Jubail and Yanbu, King Khalid and King Fahd international airports in Riyadh and Dammam, and overseeing a major phosphate complex and industrial city for the Saudi Arabia Mining Company, Ma’aden. Bechtel is currently working on lines 1 and 2 of the six-line Riyadh Metro and providing program management services at Jubail Industrial City, the largest civil engineering project in the world.
