The Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC) in Saudi Arabia and Siemens signed a collaboration agreement to pioneer the implementation of a vocational education concept, introduce the Siemens Mechatronics curriculum to the Saudi Arabian education system and drive leadership excellence among vocational training managers in the Kingdom.
The collaboration agreement was signed by Ahmad Fahad Al-Fahaid, governor of TVTC, and Joe Kaeser, president and CEO of Siemens AG, in the presence of King Salman and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
The collaboration agreement will pioneer the implementation of a vocational education concept, modelled around the German dual education system, and see Saudi students being trained in electrical, mechanical and business administration disciplines. Furthermore, Siemens will introduce its Mechatronics curriculum to the Saudi Arabian education system and cooperate with TVTC to drive leadership excellence among vocational training managers across the Kingdom.
Al-Fahaid said: “I strongly believe that the Saudi youth are our most valuable assets and their potential must be realized on the path to Vision 2030. With this agreement we are providing a platform through which they can hone their skills and be counted among tomorrow’s industrial leaders and experts. The collaboration with Siemens will contribute significantly toward developing the skill sets that are required by a diversified Saudi economy.”
Arja Talakar, CEO of Siemens Saudi Arabia, said: “The German dual education system combines theoretical, practical and on-the-job phases in an interwoven approach that provides graduates with a certified profession. Siemens has a proven track record in exporting and adapting this vocational education approach in several countries, and our courses are constantly being updated in a way that prepares young people for the challenges of digitalization.”
The MoU outlines the focus areas that will drive the strong partnership between TVTC and Siemens. Firstly, the strategic intent to jointly roll out the first phase of a vocational training concept, starting later this year, is very much aligned with the Kingdom’s goal to significantly increase the number of Saudi citizens that are enrolled in vocational training programs — from 104,000 to 950,000 by 2020.
Secondly, the imperative to diversify the Saudi economy presents an opportunity to pioneer the implementation of Siemens’ Mechatronics curriculum and prepare Saudi youth for the workplace of the future. Today, companies are increasingly deploying more complex manufacturing, transport, water and energy technologies to secure their competitiveness, drive efficiencies and address growing demand.
TVTC and Siemens bolster workforce development in line with Vision 2030
TVTC and Siemens bolster workforce development in line with Vision 2030
Aramco Digital to launch National Industrial Network on 450 MHz band
Aramco Digital, the digital and technology arm of Aramco, is preparing to launch its National Industrial Network operating on the 450 MHz spectrum, a network designed to enable secure, resilient, and high-reliability industrial communications across Saudi Arabia. The network has been engineered as a mission-critical industrial infrastructure to deliver high levels of security, flexibility, and reliability to meet the needs of industrial sectors. It provides wide-area coverage with advanced protection standards, supporting operational environments that require continuous performance and dependable connectivity for critical facilities and assets.
“The National Industrial Network has been designed to support the advanced operational requirements of modern industrial environments, aimed at enhancing efficiency, strengthening business continuity, and enabling a new class of highly reliable industrial communications. Together with next-generation mission-critical smart radios, the network aims to help build a future-ready industrial infrastructure that enables real-time data insights, supports industrial digital transformation, and aligns with the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030,” said Nabil Al-Nuaim, Aramco Digital CEO.
Unlike public networks, the National Industrial Network has been purpose-built for industrial environments, enabling connectivity for critical assets, supply chains, logistics operations, and autonomous mobility systems. The network seeks to elevate smart industrial services, supporting real-time monitoring, automation, enhanced safety, and higher operational efficiency across industrial sectors.
As part of the launch, Aramco Digital plans to introduce an integrated portfolio of industrial digital solutions powered by the 450 MHz network. These include specialized connectivity packages tailored to diverse sector needs, along with a new generation of mission-critical smart radios designed specifically for industrial operations. The devices combine rugged high-performance design and industrial safety compliance with advanced artificial intelligence capabilities, enhanced sensing technologies, extended battery life, and real-time on-device data processing, helping improve accuracy, safety, and operational continuity in complex environments.
The network has also been designed to support a wide spectrum of industrial IoT applications, including asset condition and performance monitoring, fleet tracking, air-quality and environmental sensing, intelligent video monitoring, smart metering, lighting and infrastructure control, as well as mobility and fleet-management solutions. These capabilities enhance operational transparency, automation, and efficiency across both industrial and public sectors.
The National Industrial Network aims to help establish a strong technological foundation for Saudi Arabia’s next industrial phase, contributing to the objectives of Vision 2030 by delivering highly reliable, nationwide industrial connectivity that enables automation, intelligence, and advanced digital services across vital sectors. By developing connectivity solutions aligned with the needs of modern industrial operations, Aramco Digital is helping shape the future of mission-critical digital infrastructure in the Kingdom, moving beyond traditional telecommunications to enable continuous interaction between devices, machines, and AI-powered systems, and strengthening real-time decision-making through edge processing.
The 450 MHz National Industrial Network represents more than an improvement in coverage or performance. It is a strategic step toward smarter, more autonomous, and technology-driven industrial ecosystems that enhance operational excellence and set a new benchmark for advanced digital infrastructure in Saudi Arabia.
With the accelerating pace of digital transformation in the Kingdom, secure and reliable connectivity has become a fundamental pillar in supporting operational requirements and driving economic growth. Organizations across various sectors— including industrial sectors and those enabling future economies — are increasingly relying on advanced connectivity solutions and technologies to enhance safety and reliability, improve operational efficiency, and unlock new horizons for sustainable economic development.
