Local media sources in the Middle East say that GM is set to announce plans to establish a campus of the ‘General Motors University’ in Saudi Arabia at the Jeddah Economic Forum. This will champion GM’s Saudisation programme, providing training to young Saudi nationals in a number of areas in the automotive industry including sales, technical support, after sales and retail administration.
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General Motors is using its partnership with the Jeddah Economic Forum, and its theme of ‘Capacity Building: Developing People For Sustainable Growth’, to announce its intention to establish a campus of the General Motors University in Saudi Arabia.
Reports say that GM’s long-term vision is to have a GM University Campus in every major market in the Middle East, supported by its local dealer partners and government educational institutions. The first such announcement was made at the end of 2004 when General Motors’ Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Rick Wagoner, signed an agreement with the UAE Minister of Education to establish a Dubai campus at the Dubai Men’s College.
The GM University training facilities would offer programmes ranging from short two to four month training courses aimed at entry level technicians all the way up to complete automotive apprenticeships lasting anywhere up to four years.
GM sources say that in 2004 General Motors enjoyed record sales in the Middle East, driven by increased sales in Saudi Arabia of the Chevrolet, Cadillac, GMC, Opel, Saab and Hummer brands. GM sold more than 45,000 units in Saudi in 2004, an increase of 45% over the previous year.
