Jon Zaidi: “Development of Uzbekistan’s energy sector increases demand for skilled personnel”

In Uzbekistan, efforts to foster international cooperation to supply the labor market with skilled workers and prepare youth for contemporary careers are advancing to a new qualitative stage.

The joint initiative with Saudi Arabia aims to enhance the vocational education system and train specialists who meet international standards in sectors like energy and infrastructure.

Jon Zaidi, Country General Manager at ACWA Uzbekistan, spoke about this in an interview with UzA correspondent.

– Relations between our countries, based on mutual trust and mutually beneficial cooperation, continue to strengthen, – says Jon Zaidi. – I would particularly like to highlight the results of the Tashkent International Investment Forum, held on June 16-18, which served as an important platform for strengthening our partnership and implementing joint initiatives.

During the forum, the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan, the Saudi-Uzbek Business Council, and the Saudi Arabia Energy and Water Academy signed a Cooperation Agreement.

A key result of the forum was the formation of a strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia focused on vocational training and employment for Uzbek youth. This initiative seeks to tackle the lack of qualified workers in high-tech sectors and foster direct connections between young specialists and global employers.

A Joint Management Committee will be formed, led by the representative of the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade, to oversee project coordination and development. The Energy and Water Academy of Saudi Arabia, a leading training institution for the country’s energy sector, will oversee the development of educational programs. Meanwhile, ACWA will act as the primary partner for the initiative in Uzbekistan.

We are proud to participate in our countries’ strategic partnership focused on human capital development. For over 17 years, the Academy has trained specialists for Saudi Arabia’s energy and water sectors, adhering to international standards. We are confident that this extensive experience will also be valuable in Uzbekistan.

The signed agreement establishes the basis for building a modern educational ecosystem. In the first year, 100 young Uzbekistan citizens will participate in specialized vocational training programs based on the EWA model. This initiative aims to develop a skilled talent pool that aligns with the needs of Saudi companies investing in Uzbekistan.

The strategy’s practical rollout will begin in Karakalpakstan, with a focus on creating skilled jobs. To support this, ACWA’s local branch, ACWA Power Sergeli, signed an MOU with Nukus District Energy FE LLC. This partnership aims to give young people in the area the chance to gain globally recognized professional skills and find jobs in the energy sector both within Uzbekistan and internationally.

Uzbekistan’s energy sector is evolving rapidly, underscoring the need for training qualified specialists. For instance, ACWA’s installed capacity in the country has surged from zero to 12 GW over six years. Additionally, in Samarkand region, there are plans to build photovoltaic power plants with a total capacity of 1,000 MW and energy storage systems with a capacity of 1,500 MWh.

Large-scale industrial projects launched by Uzbekistan’s President will require significant amounts of electricity, necessitating a large pool of highly skilled experts.

The new agreement builds on the investor’s educational efforts. ACWA updated the personnel training system at Shirin Energy College by adopting international standards for training technical specialists.

Major Saudi investors will ensure the project’s financial sustainability. As part of the forum, ACWA Power Sergeli also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Miahona Corporation, a leading Saudi operator in water resources and infrastructure management. In Uzbekistan, the company plans to implement water supply and wastewater projects for industrial enterprises and municipal facilities through public-private partnerships. ACWA will serve as the project’s operational and methodological center. Technical support will be provided in collaboration with the Energy and Water Academy of Saudi Arabia (EWA). Experts from both organizations will develop educational programs, participate in instructors’ professional development, monitor training quality, and track participants’ academic progress. This comprehensive approach will ensure that graduates’ competencies meet both current and future labor market requirements.

Miahona will sponsor the educational programs, but its involvement will extend beyond financial support. The agreement provides for the integration of Saudi Arabia’s best practices into the educational process. The company will provide project participants with access to its technical experts and international knowledge bases and will organize practical training for Uzbekistan specialists, including visits to operating industrial facilities.

Interviewed by Nasiba Ziyodullayeva, UzA