Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, February 07, 2023: Johnson Controls Arabia (JCIA), a leading provider of integrated solutions that include HVAC equipment, fire and security systems, building management systems and controls in MENA, has announced its participation as founding partner in the Future Industrialists initiative. Implemented by the Association for Distinguished Initiatives, General Directorate of Education in Jeddah, and the Industrial Council of the Chamber of Commerce in Jeddah, the initiative is supported by JCIA as part of its strategic commitment towards empowering young talent in the Kingdom.

Future Industrialists initiative features the participation of over 10,000 high school male and female students to compete under three categories, including the creative, the discoverer, and the ambassador, for SAR 100,000 worth of awards. Additionally, 30 student winners will benefit from the opportunity to be recruited for a summer internship at the manufacturing facilities that are part of the Future Industrialists’ initiative, including the YORK Manufacturing Complex, in addition to training sessions for 1000 students.

Dr. Mohanad Al Shaikh, JCIA’s CEO, said: “We are proud to be the founding partners of the Future Industrialists initiative as part of our ongoing commitment and efforts towards fueling innovation and sustainability, especially in the development of talent and future leaders, in partnership with the public sector.”

“As a leader in the vital industrial sector on a local and global level, we will be introducing students to the latest innovative and integrated industrial processes and mechanisms used at our YORK Manufacturing Complex, YORK’s largest manufacturing facility in the region. Johnson controls Arabia continues to work towards its long-term objectives of shaping and preparing students with the needed skills and experience to excel in the competitive industrial labor market.” he added. 

Future Industrialists’ creative category award recognizes students who present distinctive ideas to raise the factory’s financial or marketing productivity through the suggestions of quality products, while the discoverer category rewards students who present ideas for improvement of daily operations, productive, and quality assurance areas. Furthermore, the ambassador category celebrates students who develop interesting content on the factory’s output, its distinctive products, and its role in servicing the community.

Targeting students at public secondary schools in Jeddah, the initiative aims to broaden young talents’ vision and knowledge through conducting field visits and trainings at local companies and manufacturing facilities, to educate them on the Kingdom’s industrial potential, mainly in Jeddah. In alignment with Vision 2030 goals, Future Industrialists initiative aims at fueling the economy through motivating students to join the industrial sector in partnership with the private sector.