The Diriyah Company has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) to enhance the training and development of Saudi talent. 

 

This partnership is set to bolster the transfer of knowledge and expertise by creating comprehensive learning and development plans, and fostering collaboration across several professional fields within the built environment, governed by RICS standards.

 

The MoU, signed by Abdullah Al-Othman, Chief Human Capital Officer at Diriyah Company, and Belinda Howell, Executive Director of Regulation & Assurance Operations at RICS, will promote and support the growth of Diriyah’s skilled workforce. 

 

Training of 15 Saudis

The agreement initially targets the training of 15 Saudis from the Diriyah Company team, with the potential to expand beyond that, based on the needs of the organisation.

 

The partnership will exclusively target employees of Diriyah Company, providing necessary training for young Saudi talent, mid-management professionals (both Saudi and non-Saudi), and potentially senior staff. The training programme will primarily be conducted in Riyadh through webinars and in-person sessions, minimising disruption to business operations. There are also opportunities for international training, based on the needs of the organisation.

 

Key areas of collaboration will include training and guidance, facilitating the transfer of knowledge to young Saudi professionals in the fields of cost and commercial management, project management, asset and facilities management, real estate advisory, procurement, and tendering, highlighting essential business, budgeting, and cost control skills. 

 

Professionals within Diriyah Company will also receive advice on the most suitable membership routes, from preparing development plans to overseeing the membership journey of young local talent to support their career development.

 

A joint working team, comprising representatives from both Diriyah Company and RICS, will be formed to activate areas of collaboration, and will prepare and submit progress reports to both organisations to enable continuous development of the agreed upon programmes. 

 

Awareness sessions

Awareness sessions will demonstrate the advantages of RICS membership and the comprehensive courses covering RICS pathway competencies. The MoU will also include a track for building conservation and collaboration on achieving sustainability goals, ensuring that historic buildings are effectively managed, certified, and preserved.

 

Jerry Inzerillo, Group CEO of Diriyah Company, said: “We are thrilled to collaborate with RICS to bring the immense benefits of their programmes to our employees and projects by adopting global standards in training and development. It is a significant step towards enhancing our professional capabilities and ensuring the preservation of Diriyah’s rich heritage.”

 

Justin Young, Global CEO of RICS, said: “Our collaboration with the Diriyah Company underscores our commitment to promoting cultural, economic, and professional growth within Saudi Arabia. By supporting Diriyah Company, we aim to highlight the roots of this ancient city and its history across various fields, including culture, arts and knowledge.”--TradeArabia News Service