The Saudi National Maritime Academy: A Complete Guide to Admission & Employment

The growing significance and position of the maritime industry as a key pillar of the Saudi economy are driving up demand for skilled domestic workers. The Saudi National Maritime Academy (NMA) originated to train and prepare Saudi professionals for employment in the nation’s maritime industry.

This post provides a comprehensive overview of the academy, its objectives, and the career prospects for its graduates.

Saudi National Maritime Academy

In 2016, Saudi Aramco and the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation partnered to create the Saudi National Maritime Academy (NMA), a non-profit training facility. Moreover, the academy is situated on the highway close to the Ras Al-Ghar Bridge in the Al-Aziziyah neighbourhood of Jubail Industrial City, eastern Saudi Arabia, some 70 km north of Dhahran.

Likewise, the National Academy collaborates with several industrial and maritime organisations to offer cutting-edge training programmes that meet the demands of the expanding Saudi labour market in this crucial area.

The Saudi Maritime Academy’s Objectives

The Saudi Maritime Academy provides training in shipbuilding/repair, navigation, and marine engineering to equip the Saudi workforce for maritime industry employment. It focuses on integrating theoretical and practical knowledge with modern technologies to prepare graduates for the Saudi labour market. In addition, through its employment-oriented training programmes, it aims to fortify alliances with different organisations to offer graduates in a range of fields long-term employment prospects.

Read more: What Does the First-Of-Its-Kind Maritime Training Programme Offer Saudi Youngsters?

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements set by the NMA include being a Saudi national, being between the ages of 18 and 24, and having completed high school with a minimum score of 70%. Additionally, candidates must have a minimum IELTS score of 3.5 or above and a General Aptitude Test score of 60% or higher. Besides, a medical examination, admission tests, and an in-person interview are additional requirements for applicants. They must have never been the recipients of Human Resources Development Fund assistance before.

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International Accreditation

In 2023, the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency granted the Saudi NMA full accreditation. In line with the highest international standards, this demonstrates the academy’s dedication to offering top-notch maritime education and training.

Read more: International Maritime Training Centre in Jeddah

Salaries & Benefits

The Saudi NMA, a non-profit training organisation, provides trainees with a SAR 3,000 monthly stipend. This stipend gives them the money they need to stay focused on their studies and advance their abilities.

Further, the academy offers its alumni instant employment upon successful completion of the training programme. Depending on their experience and area of expertise, salaries can reach SAR 7,000 or higher, with a minimum of SAR 5,000.

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Training Programmes at the Maritime Academy

Three primary training programmes encompassing the most significant specialisations in the marine industry are available from the National Marine Academy (NMA). The following programmes are:

• Shipbuilding & Repair.
• Navigation & Maritime Operations.
• Port & Offshore Rig Operations.

Graduates of the academy’s training programme receive a diploma reflecting their specialised field of study, as follows:

• Diploma in Marine Sciences.
• Diploma in Marine Engineering.
• Diploma in Electrical Technology.

Read more: Saudi Arabia is Soon to be the World’s Premier Maritime Hub

Is Studying to Be a Sea Captain Free in Saudi Arabia?

In addition to a monthly stipend and health insurance, Saudi trainees can enrol in free and fully subsidised programmes at the National Maritime Academy, a non-profit training organisation. In summary, the Maritime Academy’s critical role in constructing the Saudi maritime industry’s future underscores its significance. Furthermore, beyond just training, it offers graduates fulfilling job prospects and, by fostering the development of its youth, successfully helps the Kingdom realise its Vision 2030.

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