Aberdeen Drilling School (ADS), the global training and consultancy company, has acquired IAS International (IAS) to enhance its training and competency management portfolio for the Middle East market
Driven by increasing 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 programmes, and rig reactivation support. The company aims to double its MENA customer base by 2024 and will increase its headcount in the region by 150% over the next 18 months to service growth.
ADS has appointed two senior directors, Graeme Eglintine as regional director and Petru Cioban as operations director. Eglintine will focus on leading competency services and training programmes in the Middle East, supported by Cioban. Based at new offices in Dubai, Eglintine and Cioban bring over 50 years of drilling experience from previous roles at IAS and have extensive knowledge in development and workforce.
Jason Grant, managing director of ADS said, “We are delighted to have acquired IAS which will significantly bolster our training and consultancy offering to the energy market. Our clients have long highlighted the gap that exists between compliance and competency. Today marks the next step of the ADS journey and we’re excited to see the positive impact these appointments will have across drilling, well services and lifting operations in the region.”
Graeme Eglintine, regional director, ADS, MENA commented, “With rig counts on the rise across the Middle East, the demand for highly trained, competent personnel at all levels is growing in tandem. I am thrilled 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.”
To date the company has developed and delivered well control training in more than 50 countries since its inception in 1982.
