Abu Dhabi-based energy group International Petroleum Investment Company (Ipic) aims to triple its Emirati workforce over the next three years as it pushes forward with several major projects in the UAE.

Ipic is investing billions of dollars in schemes such as the new Fujairah refinery, the Tacaamol chemicals project in Ruwais and the Fujairah liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving terminal.

“We have in place a strategy to offer 500 positions for Emiratis over the next three years,” says Mohamed Abdulla al-Suwaidi, director of Ipic’s business support department.

“The first option for us in filling each position will be an Emirati, but if we end up recruiting a non-local we will take on three Emiratis as trainees to develop their knowledge under him,” he adds.

Ipic holds more than 14 investments in over 10 countries and, in 2012, commissioned the Abu Dhabi Crude Oil Pipeline (Adcop) running from the Habshan oil hub in Abu Dhabi to the Port of Fujairah.