Qatar Petroleum (QP) and College of North Atlantic-Qatar (CNA-Q) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) covering the general framework and governing principles of their co-operation related to the training and professional development of QP staff. The MoU was signed by HE the Minister for Energy and Industry, Dr Mohamed bin Saleh al-Sada, also QP chairman and managing director and Dr Latifa Ibrahim al-Houty, vice chair of executive committee and the Joint Oversight Board of CNA-Q. The signing ceremony, which was held at QP headquarters, was attended by senior officials from both QP and CNA-Q. “This agreement reflects our firm commitment to the full development of our employees as we provide them with varied opportunities for further skills development and training. This will ultimately boost their efficiency and confidence while performing their duties. The MoU also reaffirms our confidence in the capacity of local providers, such as CNA-Q, in delivering high-quality training programmes to our staff,” al-Sada said. Under the MoU, QP and CNA-Q will establish a “solid relationship” in developing and conducting technical, vocational and corporate training as well as professional development programmes for QP employees, besides undertaking collaborative applied research projects. Currently, CNA-Q is providing training and development to some 916 trainees and employees from QP and its affiliates under various programmes. They include those for technicians, clerical preparation certificate, engineering technology, business administration, information technology and lab technician. Some 226 of these trainees are expected to graduate by 2013. Since 2010, QP already had a total of 816 graduates who had completed various programmes offered by CNA-Q. This is the third MoU to be signed by QP this year with educational institutions and non-profit organisations. In early January, QP also signed a similar co-operation agreement with the Qatar Foundation, followed by another agreement in May with Qatar University.