ADNOC Trading Academy Unveils Fourth Cohort To Enhance UAE National Talent In Global Trading

ADNOC has introduced the fourth group of its esteemed Trading Academy, designed to prepare UAE Nationals for roles in ADNOC Global Trading (AGT) and ADNOC Trading (AT). The announcement took place at AGT's offices, attended by Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of Education. Senior figures from education, Emiratisation, and human resources sectors were also present.

Since 2020, ADNOC's trading companies have evolved into major global players in refined and crude products. They have expanded from five employees in 2019 to over 400 today. ADNOC now actively trades its products, optimising cargo management to enhance value. Hedging services are employed to mitigate risks, with ADNOC L&S vessels used for transportation when feasible.

Dr. Al Jaber stated, "ADNOC’s trading operations have revolutionised the services we offer to our expanding global customer base, while unlocking significant value and driving new growth opportunities. Our world-class trading businesses are leveraging advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) to make informed data-driven decisions that generate greater returns from every molecule that we produce, process, and sell."

In 2016, President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan tasked ADNOC with maximising value from each barrel of oil. This led to the creation of AT for crude oil and AGT for refined products. These units now handle more daily transactions than ADNOC did annually before their establishment. By the end of 2023, they are expected to achieve a return on investment exceeding 17 times the initial setup cost.

The Trading Academy plays a pivotal role in this success by offering a rigorous two-year programme exclusively for UAE Nationals within ADNOC. This training combines theoretical knowledge with practical skills through simulations and real-time market analysis. Since its inception in 2020, nearly 40 UAE Nationals have graduated from the academy and are now contributing to AGT and AT.

Investing in Future Talent

Dr. Al Jaber emphasised the importance of investing in UAE youth by equipping them with specialised skills necessary for commodity trading success. He highlighted that as ADNOC continues to invest in young talent, it strengthens their role in strategic sectors. The academy is instrumental in preparing the country's first generation of traders.

ADNOC's transformation into an international energy company is supported by its trading operations serving both physical and financial customers. The company's commitment to innovation is evident as it utilises advanced technologies like AI for data-driven decision-making. This approach ensures greater returns from every molecule produced, processed, and sold.

The event celebrating the new cohort was attended by key leaders who acknowledged the achievements of ADNOC’s trading companies. As these companies continue to grow organically into sophisticated global traders, they remain focused on delivering value through strategic initiatives and investments in human capital development.

ADNOC's dedication to nurturing local talent through its Trading Academy underscores its commitment to developing a skilled workforce capable of driving future growth in the energy sector. By providing comprehensive training programmes tailored specifically for UAE Nationals, ADNOC ensures that its employees are well-prepared for success in commodity trading roles within AGT and AT.

With inputs from WAM