The development plan approved by the Yemeni government in August 2005 calls for liquefied natural gas production to begin by end-2008. That is a tight deadline for hiring the 650 people essential to the plant's proper operation and training them as needed, while giving preference to Yemeni nationals.

A Dual Challenge: Recruiting Skills and Maintaining Them Over Time

"Combining the fast-tracking of a new project and local hiring isn't easy, and training is the key to success. To bring the plant on stream by 2008, we need about 650 people, mostly Yemenis, including 200 to 300 specialized technicians and engineers. But finding the skills we need in Yemen is tough. That's why we've created our own training center, with dedicated programs. The long-term challenge will be retaining employees by offering them fair compensation, good working conditions and opportunities for advancement.
At end-2006, almost 200 technicians and operators had begun a training program that will last 18 to 24 months. We've also set up training for non-technical personnel, which brought the number of people taking courses in 2006 to 350. In 2007, 90 technicians and engineers will be enrolled in programs tailored to their individual experience."

Phil Campbell, Human Resources Manager, Yemen LNG

Training Program for Technicians and Operators
More than 200 new hires began the training program in 2006, embarking on a nearly two-year-long commitment.

	English, mathematics, physics, chemistry 4 to 6 months	à	Oil and gas technologies 7 months	à	Material specific to Yemen LNG 6 months	à	Hands-on, onsite training 4 to 6 months

To learn more about the Yemen LNG project, go to: www.yemenlng.com