Aberdeen Drilling School (ADS), the global training and consultancy company, has acquired IAS International (IAS) to enhance its training and skills management portfolio for the Middle East market.
Following the acquisition, the consultancy signaled that it has its sights firmly set on growth in the region, appointing two senior directors, Graeme Eglintine and Petru Cioban.
Driven by the growing demand for workforce development to meet the needs of the booming drilling market, ADS will now offer a broader portfolio of products and services, including new hire assessments, role-specific progression programs and support for the reactivation of the platform, ADS said in its statement. The company aims to double its MENA customer base by 2024 and will increase its workforce in the region by 150 percent over the next 18 months for service growth.
Eglintine as regional director will focus on leading the competition services and training programs in the Middle East, supported by Cioban as director of operations. Based in new offices in Dubai, Eglintine and Cioban bring over 50 years of drilling experience from pre-IAS roles and extensive knowledge in workforce development and planning, further enhancing the international offering of ‘ADS, says the statement.
“We are delighted to have acquired IAS which will significantly strengthen our training and consultancy offering in the energy market. Our customers have long highlighted the gap between compliance and competition. Graeme and Petru live and breathe this field, and their passion and dedication to improving individual and collective competence aligns perfectly with our core values. Today marks the next step in ADS’ journey and we are excited to see the positive impact these appointments will have on drilling, well services and lift operations in the region,” said Jason Grant, CEO of ADS.
“With the increase in platform accounts across the Middle East, the demand for highly trained and competent staff at all levels is growing at the same time. I am delighted to join ADS as it shares my philosophy , passion and commitment to creating and maintaining a safe and technically aware workforce in our high-risk industry,” comments Graeme Eglintine, ADS Regional Director, MENA.
To date, the company has developed and delivered well control training in more than 50 countries since its inception in 1982. ADS employs 50 people worldwide and, as part of the RelyOn Nutec Group, reaches more than 10,000 companies in more than 30 training centers in more than 20 countries.
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