Khobar, February 16, 2026 – Nesma & Partners, through its vocational and professional training arm, Nesma High Training Institute (NHTI), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kent, a global integrated engineering and project delivery company, 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 NHTI’s established training platform with Kent’s global expertise in engineering, commissioning, and leadership development. Through this partnership, the organizations 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 Saudization 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, Samer Abdul Samad, President & CEO of Nesma & Partners, emphasized: “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.”

John Gilley, Chief Executive Officer of Kent, added: “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.”

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 localization efforts and Saudi Vision 2030, while strengthening institutional and industrial capabilities across the Kingdom.

About Kent

Kent is a privately-owned international integrated energy services partner acquired by Nesma & Partners. Founded in 1919 as a small family company in Ireland, Kent is now a 13,000-strong client-centric team and $1.4 billion-dollar revenue global business.  It delivers sustainable and innovative engineering services and project delivery solutions for the oil and gas, industrial, renewables, and low-carbon industries. It has a roster of blue-chip clients, including international energy companies, national oil companies, renewable energy companies, and global petrochemical companies.

Website: kentplc.com

About Nesma High Training Institute (NHTI)

Nesma High Training Institute (NHTI) is the vocational and professional training arm of Nesma & Partners, dedicated to equipping Saudi youth with the skills and competencies needed for industry success. Operating from Dhahran since 2012 and expanding to NEOM in 2022, NHTI has delivered over 100,000 training opportunities and graduated more than 7,000 specialists, strengthening workforce readiness across the construction and industrial sectors.

The institute offers 18 vocational programs and over 200 specialized courses, covering HSE, technical skills, and essential soft skills. With multiple national and international accreditations, NHTI plays a key role in developing a skilled Saudi workforce aligned with market needs and supporting the Kingdom’s economic growth and workforce development objectives.