NEWS
Drydocks World Dubai pioneers world’ s first IOSH-approved virtual reality safety training
construction and offshore environments. Delivered in English, Hindi, Urdu and Tamil, the training covers 11 key hazards and enables participants to practise essential procedures without real-world risk.
“ This project is a breakthrough – not just for IOSH but for the global marine industry,” said Iain McIntosh, Senior Business Development Manager at IOSH.“ By approving this programme, we’ re setting a new precedent for how immersive technology can enhance learning, retention and long-term safety culture.”
Drydocks World Dubai, a leading maritime and offshore service facility, has achieved a world-first milestone with the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health’ s( IOSH’ s) approval of its Virtual Reality( VR) safety training programme – the first VR course to be accredited by IOSH globally.
Developed entirely in-house by the Learning and Development team, the immersive module marks a major step forward in safety education. More than 15,000 employees and contractors have already completed the programme, which delivers realistic, site-specific scenarios reflecting the challenges of ship repair,
According to Mahfoodha Makki, Senior Manager, Talent Development, VR training has significantly increased engagement, with retention rates reaching up to 95 %.
IOSH has worked closely with the Drydocks team throughout the accreditation process, with Chief Executive Officer Vanessa Harwood-Whitcher taking part in on-site VR sessions.“ This collaboration has opened the door to a new generation of IOSHapproved digital training,” she said.
Drydocks is now extending the use of immersive technology into technical skills, while IOSH continues to support safety innovation across the UAE and wider region.
DXC expands SAP capabilities across Middle East and Africa with new Academy, COE and major hiring drive
DXC Technology is expanding its SAP capabilities across the Middle East through a major investment push centred on Saudi Arabia and Egypt, aimed at accelerating Digital Transformation and strengthening regional delivery capacity.
The company has launched a new SAP Academy in Saudi Arabia to train and certify local talent, aligning directly with the Kingdom’ s Digital Transformation goals. The Academy complements the recently opened DXC Centre of Excellence for SAP in Egypt, which now serves as a major regional delivery hub supporting customers in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. improving operational efficiency and adopting AI-enabled business processes.
Leveraging AI, reusable assets and modern implementation methodologies, the COE is designed to deliver mission-critical SAP managed services and accelerate customer value.
“ Expanding our SAP capabilities across the Middle East and Africa reinforces DXC’ s commitment to helping customers modernise their technology landscapes and unlock greater value from their SAP investments. By combining our global SAP expertise with strong regional delivery, we’ re enabling organisations to simplify complexity, accelerate transformation and build a foundation for sustained growth,” said Keith Costello, President, Enterprise Applications and Technology, DXC Consulting and Engineering Services.
DXC is also expanding its workforce, hiring more than 300 SAP professionals across the region, including 250 specialists in Egypt. The investment strengthens the company’ s ability to support public and private sector organisations modernising SAP environments,
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