The Arab Shipbuilding & Repair Yard Company (ASRY) has honored employees who successfully completed the comprehensive Bahraini Youth Leadership Development Program “Bina’a”. Conducted in collaboration with the Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF), the program aims to equip rising talents with the insights and skills needed to achieve strategic success and career growth. ASRY also celebrated the winners of the “Ibtaker” Award, which seeks to recognize and encourage creativity and innovation in the workplace by promoting original and forward-thinking initiatives.

Dr Ahmed Al Abri, ASRY’s Chief Executive Officer, said: ‘The “Bina’a” program began about a year ago in collaboration with BIBF and brought in staff from various production and administrative departments. The program was centered on teamwork, with groups assigned applied projects that the company will later adopt. We have seen clear development in participants’ abilities, professionally and personally, through greater self-confidence and stronger team spirit. We are proud of these initiatives that seek to prepare the next wave of Bahraini engineers and employees.’ 

He added: ‘As for the “Ibtaker” program, competition among participants was intense, and some very strong ideas were presented. The winning entries will be put into action. Today we honored the recipients of the top positions, and we will soon begin the second edition of both programs, with expectations of even greater participation to identify the “stars of the future”. In truth, we have already recognized our “stars of today”.’

Dr Al Abri noted that the “Ibtaker” program aims to encourage a spirit of innovation and creativity, which are core values at ASRY. He said the ideas were sound and practical, had been closely reviewed by specialists, and that budgets had been allocated to carry out the winning proposals this year.

Shaikh Duaij bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, ASRY’s Vice-President for Corporate Support, said: ‘My congratulations to the “Bina’a” graduates and the “Ibtaker” winners. This is the fruit of a year’s hard work. The main goal is to develop employees’ skills and prepare them for future roles in the company. We wish them every success, and we thank senior management for its continuous support and oversight of the program.’

Dr Ahmed Abdulhameed Al Shaikh, Chief Executive Officer of BIBF, said: ‘Our collaboration with ASRY represents a strong national example of investing in human capital and developing Bahraini talent. The “Bina’a” program exemplifies this approach by shaping young leaders capable of contributing to institutional development while promoting innovation and productivity. We are proud to be a strategic partner in delivering this program, reflecting our commitment to supporting national institutions through providing training solutions that develop skills and enhance professional standards in the Kingdom.’

ASRY’s Director of Human Resources, Ahmed Buali, said: ‘We are proud to see the first “Bina’a” group of graduates. It is a leadership program designed to prepare young employees for leadership positions within ASRY, alongside a wider set of programs launched to support and develop Bahraini staff. More than 500 Bahrainis were promoted and given pay rises last year with the support of Tamkeen, and more than 80 this year.’

Commenting on his achievement, Bronze-award winner Jaafar Al Khayyat said: ‘The program was an outstanding experience that encouraged us to explore ways to develop the company. My idea focused on transitioning to digital procedures by using e-forms in the inspection processes of the Quality Assurance and Control Department, which will streamline tasks and improve operational efficiency.’