BAE Systems plays a key role in a number of community initiatives in Saudi Arabia.
BAE Systems is the administrator of the Saudi-British exchange programme for sport and culture. This is considered to be one of the most successful programmes of its kind anywhere in the world, and has resulted in the growth of sporting excellence and the building of closer ties between the two countries. Since it started, 900 Saudi sports coaches have qualified with the UK’s Level I diploma and 150 more with Level II. 60 Saudi medical professionals have developed an expertise in sports medicine through MSc courses run in conjunction with British universities.
Since 1991 Saudi academics have benefited from BAE Systems’ funding of a British Council programme designed to stimulate advances in research. This allows them to conduct research at British universities during the summer recess. During 2005, the 300th academic joined this programme. This research is of great importance, including studies into such subjects as cancer treatment, traffic planning, domestic violence, irrigation with salt water, the conservation of the Arabian leopard, among other topics. The company also sponsors young Saudis in post-graduate MBA, MSc and MA studies by sponsoring the British government's Chevening Scholarships.
Company employees raise funds for worthy causes in the Kingdom in a programme known as Sharek Alkhair (Charity Challenge). The company commits to match the value of funds for Saudi charities raised by individual members of staff. Schools, the Saudi Disabled Children’s Society and the Saudi Cancer Society have been among the recipients of donations.
Between 2001 and 2005 the company partnered the Saudi government’s programme to create national occupational skill standards and their resulting training curricula. This programme, managed by the General Organisation for Technical Education and Vocational Training (Gotevot) produced outstanding results.
Skill standards for 250 trades were produced; 850 training packages were written; databases for existing and future infrastructure and teaching capabilities were produced. These standards achieved international accreditation from the UK, Canada, Australia and other countries.
BAE Systems funded the programme and seconded a full time vocational training specialist to assist in the administration. The programme has been described as the most important reform in the Saudi workplace ever and has become the backbone of training for up to 150,000 young Saudis entering the job market each year. The programmes have now also been taken up in Bahrain, Syria and Yemen.
