Industrial Insights

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Sania Aziz

Industrial Insights

20.Feb.2026

Technology firm Krank has introduced the Inspeq Platform, a modular operational layer designed to provide control-tower oversight of inspections, work order execution and fleet operations without replacing existing enterprise systems.

The platform is aimed at asset-intensive sectors including mining, construction, energy, utilities, insurance and heavy industry, where frontline teams face mounting pressure to maintain safe operations while improving efficiency. Despite widespread use of CMMS, EAM and ERP systems, many organisations continue to rely on fragmented, paper-based or disconnected inspection workflows, resulting in delayed reporting and slower decision-making.

Inspeq has been developed to bridge this operational gap. Rather than displacing established systems, it integrates with them, connecting frontline inspection activity directly to management in a unified, real-time environment. The platform consolidates inspections, work orders, site data and asset-level intelligence, enabling senior leadership to gain visibility across distributed operations without disrupting existing processes.

According to Khurram Mumtaz, Chief Technology Officer at Krank, the system was built around the realities of frontline conditions, including remote sites, harsh environments and limited connectivity. “We have developed the Inspeq Platform around what frontline teams need most on the job. It helps them catch issues faster, assign work instantly, and deliver the right insights to the right people at the right time,” he said.

A central feature of the platform is its Remote Work Orders capability, which allows senior inspectors or specialist technicians to conduct and supervise inspections remotely. Using live video calls, experienced personnel can guide on-site staff in real time, directing inspections and capturing high-definition images and video evidence. Findings are logged centrally as the inspection progresses, enabling reports to be completed remotely.

The approach is intended to maximise scarce technical expertise by extending oversight across multiple sites without requiring physical travel. Krank said the feature reduces travel costs, shortens inspection turnaround times and promotes consistent quality standards across geographically dispersed assets.

Inspection findings within Inspeq feed directly into live work order execution, ensuring that defects are addressed promptly and accountability is clearly assigned. Pre-start checks, maintenance schedules, discrepancy reporting and asset histories are consolidated within a single operational layer.

By sitting above existing enterprise systems, Inspeq aims to improve data accuracy, accelerate response times and reduce administrative burdens while supporting digital transformation without workforce retraining.

Krank said the platform was shaped by frontline feedback to create a scalable, mobile-first solution capable of aligning asset data, inspections and operational insight in real time.

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Sania Aziz

Industrial Insights

20.Feb.2026

Intersec 2026, the world-leading exhibition for security, safety and fire protection, delivered its largest and most internationally diverse edition to date, welcoming 44,764 trade visitors from 151 countries.

The three-day event, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Ports and Borders Security Council, featured a 60/40 split of domestic and international attendees, reinforcing the event’s status as a global hub for regulators, government authorities, industry leaders, and solution providers.

Spanning over 65,000 sq m, the 27th edition hosted 1,180 exhibitors from 56 countries, including 10 international country pavilions. A comprehensive programme of 14 conferences and specialist features reflected the growing convergence of physical, digital and human safety, demonstrating Intersec’s role in shaping the future of resilience.

International participation accounted for 82% of exhibitors, led by established safety and technology markets such as the United States, China, France, Germany, Italy, Türkiye, and the United Kingdom, alongside high-growth economies including India and South Korea. The UAE remained the largest domestic exhibiting market, highlighting the country’s growing prominence in advancing security, fire protection, and safety standards through national initiatives that promote regulatory frameworks, technology adoption, and ecosystem resilience.

Exhibition sectors showcased next-generation technologies and integrated solutions across Homeland Security & Policing, Cybersecurity, Commercial & Perimeter Security, Fire & Rescue, and Health & Safety. Attendees experienced innovations addressing critical challenges including emergency response, cyber resilience, workforce safety, and infrastructure protection.

The 2026 edition also marked the launch of the Intersec Global identity, emphasising the platform’s evolution from national security to human-centred safety. From macro-level national resilience and cybersecurity to surveillance, fire, rescue and workplace wellbeing, Intersec Global demonstrated how its international ecosystem connects operational and human safety across sectors.

Dishan Isaac, Show Director of Intersec at Messe Frankfurt Middle East, said: “This edition represents a pivotal moment for the platform, with expanded scale and engagement from the global safety and security community. The Intersec Global identity reflects Dubai’s role as a hub for international collaboration, bringing together established markets and high-growth regions. From policy discussions to frontline operational challenges, the focus was firmly on resilience, readiness, and partnership.”

The Intersec Awards 2026 celebrated industry excellence, with 17 categories recognising leadership, innovation and impact. Khalid Mubarak of Dubai Municipality received the H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Emirati Rising Star Award, while Albadr Jannah of Saudi Aramco was named Industry Leader of the Year. Jazyah Aldossary, also from Saudi Aramco, won the Women Trailblazers in Security, Fire Safety and HSE award.

The event, supported by UAE authorities including Dubai Civil Defense and SIRA, will return from 12-14 January 2027 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, continuing to advance global safety, security, and resilience.

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Sania Aziz

Industrial Insights

18.Feb.2026

US-based speciality gas provider OE Meyer has strengthened operational safety and environmental performance after replacing oil-sealed vacuum systems with dry vacuum technology from Leybold.

Headquartered in Ohio, OE Meyer operates seven locations across the state and is fully owned by its 130 employees. Established in 1918, the company supplies industrial and speciality gases, welding accessories and automation solutions to customers in industry, agriculture, healthcare and gastronomy. Its operations include industrial and medical gas filling, as well as oxygen and inert gas cylinder filling.

The company introduced Leybold’s DRY screw vacuum pumps and oxygen-resistant VARODRY HD/O2 systems in January 2023, targeting improvements in safety, efficiency and cost control.

Previously, oil leaks from conventional vacuum pumps had posed operational challenges. According to Mitch Robinson from OE Meyer, oil leaks created slipping hazards and environmental risks, while oil changes cost around US$1,600 each. The maintenance requirements and contamination risks prompted the company to seek a more sustainable alternative aligned with modern safety and environmental standards.

Leybold’s dry-running technology eliminates the need for oil within the compression chamber, removing the risk of oil contamination and backflow. The VARODRY HD/O2 model is certified for oxygen-rich processes, making it suitable for medical oxygen filling applications and providing additional reassurance for operators working in sensitive environments.

Robinson said the transition has delivered tangible benefits. The new pumps have proven clean, ergonomic and efficient in day-to-day use, while integrating seamlessly into existing processes. The dry systems have also contributed to greater reliability and reduced downtime.

In addition, the switch to Leybold’s DRYVAC dry screw vacuum pumps has improved production performance and extended service life. By minimising contamination risks, particularly in demanding gas filling operations, the systems support higher production yields and consistent product quality.

OE Meyer estimates that the move has resulted in savings of approximately US$10,000 per year in PFPE oil consumption alone. A further US$10,000 in annual savings has been achieved by eliminating maintenance issues linked to oil changes. Despite initial concerns about the transition, the company reports that overall operational efficiency has increased, while the working environment has become cleaner and safer.

Robinson also highlighted positive experiences with Leybold’s service support, noting punctual maintenance visits and practical guidance. For example, changing a belt on the VARODRY system can be completed in around 15 minutes, enabling faster in-house servicing.

The upgrade reflects a broader shift among gas suppliers towards dry vacuum solutions that enhance safety, environmental protection and long-term cost efficiency.

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Sania Aziz

Industrial Insights

17.Feb.2026

In its recent white paper, The State of Global Sustainability Disclosures, Sprih Inc. analysed more than 200,000 reports from over 80,000 companies worldwide, creating one of the largest repositories of corporate sustainability data ever assembled. The findings show that sustainability reporting is no longer a fringe exercise.Yet comparability and consistency remain mainly out of reach for many businesses. 

According to Sprih, this is where artificial intelligence must move from being a reporting tool to becoming the backbone of ESG intelligence.

Increasing visibility

The white paper, powered by SustainSense, Sprih’s climate AI engine, reveals a paradox. Disclosure rates for Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions are relatively mature across many regions and sectors and near-term targets are widely adopted. Energy consumption is commonly reported in aggregate.

Yet when we move beyond headline figures, fragmentation becomes obvious.

Scope 3 emissions, which are often the largest share of a company’s footprint, remain inconsistently disclosed. Water reuse and rainwater harvesting data are scarce and waste categorisation varies widely. Smaller firms, particularly those under US$100mn in revenue, lag significantly in both completeness and consistency.

The paper explains that without standardisation, sustainability disclosures risk becoming a patchwork of narratives rather than a coherent dataset. This makes investors struggle to benchmark risk, while regulators face uneven compliance landscapes. Moreover, procurement leaders lack visibility across supply chains and executives are left navigating strategy with incomplete maps.

But AI can help change this equation.

Teaching machines the language of sustainability

One of the most powerful insights from the white paper is methodological. SustainSense does not merely collect documents; it extracts, classifies, validates and normalises data across languages, formats and reporting frameworks. In other words, it teaches machines to understand sustainability.

This matters because ESG data is not structured by default. It sits inside PDFs, integrated annual reports, regulatory filings and standalone sustainability documents. Terminology can differ across jurisdictions and definitions evolve. Units can vary and even the placement of data within reports is inconsistent.

Agentic AI architectures, as described in the paper, create a structured layer on top of this chaos. They identify emissions figures, distinguish between location-based and market-based Scope 2 data, harmonise water metrics and align targets to recognised definitions such as near-term, long-term and net zero.

The result is not just a larger dataset, but a comparable one.

When thousands of disclosures are translated into a common analytical framework, patterns emerge. Europe’s leadership in comprehensive target-setting becomes quantifiable. Asia’s relative lag in Scope 3 transparency becomes measurable. The maturity gradient between large enterprises and SMEs becomes visible at scale.

According to Sprih, this is not anecdotal ESG, but rather "it is systemic ESG intelligence."

A strategic asset

For many companies, sustainability reporting continues to feel like a compliance obligation. But the white paper offers some hope. 

Executives can use AI-driven benchmarking to understand where their disclosure quality signals strength – or exposes weakness. Investors can assess governance resilience by examining not just target announcements, but the consistency of underlying metrics. Regulators can identify sectors where harmonisation efforts must intensify.

Crucially, AI can also surface blind spots. The analysis shows that while total energy consumption is widely reported, the breakdown between renewable and non-renewable energy is less consistent. Water withdrawal is commonly disclosed, but treatment and reuse metrics are rare. Waste generation is more visible than circularity performance.

These gaps, it seems, are not simply technical. They represent risk. In a climate-constrained world, incomplete value-chain data or poor resource visibility translates into financial exposure. AI could help transform ESG into static into dynamic risk management.

Better AI systems

Perhaps the most compelling idea in the white paper is the call for a global climate intelligence layer. If corporate disclosures are the raw material, AI is the infrastructure that makes them usable.

Imagine a landscape where investors can benchmark Scope 3 intensity across sectors in seconds; where procurement teams can map supplier emissions maturity; where policymakers can evaluate regional adoption of net-zero commitments with precision rather than estimates. Sprih says that this is not speculative, as it is already emerging. 

However, the technology community must recognise that scale alone is insufficient. AI systems must be transparent, auditable and continuously learning. They must adapt as reporting frameworks evolve and new regulatory requirements emerge. They must balance automation with validation to ensure trust.

Equally, companies must view AI not as a shortcut to green credentials, but as a tool for accountability. The question for the market is no longer whether AI will shape ESG. It is whether organisations are ready to operate in a world where sustainability performance is no longer hidden in footnotes, but illuminated by intelligence at scale.

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Sania Aziz

Industrial Insights

16.Feb.2026

Amarak Chemicals FZC, an associate company of the Aries Group of Companies, has begun operations at a fully automated sulphur manufacturing facility at Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) in Dubai, aiming to strengthen the supply of sulphur-based agricultural inputs to global markets.

The new plant will produce up to 60,000 metric tonnes per year of sulphur bentonite and other sulphur-allied products for the international agriculture sector. Designed with advanced digital process controls, the facility is fully automated to enhance productivity, operational precision and operator safety.

The facility was inaugurated by Shri B. G. Krishnan, Consul (Economic, Trade & Commerce), Consulate General of India, Dubai, in the presence of Saoud AlAwadhi, Director – Sales, Jafza, and members of the Aries Group board. Customers from seven countries attended the launch and signalled their intention to enter into long-term supply agreements, underlining rising global demand for agricultural inputs that promote soil health, crop yields and sustainable farming practices.

Abdulla Al Hashmi, COO, Parks & Zones, DP World GCC, said the development reinforces Jafza’s position as a key hub for chemicals and agribusiness. “The new sulphur manufacturing facility by Amarak Chemicals is a valuable addition to our growing chemicals sector, enhancing our ability to serve customers across the region and beyond. By improving access to essential agricultural inputs, this facility will help support farmers and strengthen food supply chains,” he said.

Amarak currently exports to more than 18 countries across South America, Asia-Pacific and other regions, including Brazil, Australia and New Zealand. The Jafza facility is expected to improve the company’s responsiveness to global demand by leveraging integrated logistics and consolidated production from a single hub.

The plant also benefits from the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which enables duty-free exports from the UAE to India. Amarak said this framework allows it to scale up UAE-based manufacturing while serving Indian and other international markets more competitively.

Dr. Rahul Mirchandani, Group Chairman of the Aries Group of Companies, said the investment reflects the company’s long-term strategy to expand its global footprint in agricultural inputs. He noted that Jafza’s infrastructure and connectivity reduce logistics costs, shorten time to market and support expansion into key geographies.

Amarak has also secured long-term partnerships with leading sulphur suppliers in the UAE to ensure raw material security, consistent quality and uninterrupted supply, signalling deeper industrial collaboration between India and the UAE.

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Sania Aziz

Industrial Insights

13.Feb.2026

Oman Electricity Transmission Company (OETC) has reached a major safety milestone, exceeding 70 million safe manhours without any lost time injuries (LTIs), according to Omanet.

The achievement reflects the combined efforts of its teams, strong stakeholder partnerships, and a sustained commitment to preventive safety measures.

OETC’s success underscores its dedication to maintaining the highest standards in Quality, Health, Safety, Security, and Environment (QHSSE) while fostering a robust safety culture across operational sites and key projects throughout Oman. The company attributes this accomplishment to ongoing initiatives that include comprehensive training, engagement programmes, and adoption of global best practices in occupational health, safety, and risk management.

Fahad Nasser al Kiyumi, General Manager of QHSSE at OETC, said the milestone is built on close collaboration among stakeholders. He emphasised unified standards, knowledge sharing, and collective compliance with safety protocols, supported by advanced digital systems to track performance, manage incidents, and monitor worksites. Regular inspections and awareness campaigns reinforce these measures, enhancing operational efficiency, accelerating project delivery, and promoting transparency and continuous improvement.

Innovation and digital transformation also play a key role, with smart technologies enabling risk analysis, advanced inspections, and proactive prevention rather than reactive emergency response. Through these efforts, OETC continues to safeguard all stakeholders while supporting operational sustainability and organisational performance.

“Reaching over 70 million safe manhours is a major milestone on our path to creating a zero-incident workplace,” Al Kiyumi stated. “It demonstrates the unwavering commitment of our employees, contractors, and stakeholders to quality, health, and safety as fundamental values. We remain dedicated to prioritizing everyone’s safety and will continue to enhance our systems, strategies, and programs, raise awareness, and apply the highest international standards to ensure a safe and sustainable working environment for all.”

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Sania Aziz

Industrial Insights

12.Feb.2026

The UK’s occupational safety and health (OSH) sector is facing unprecedented pressures, with widening skills gaps, retiring professionals and the demands of new technologies reshaping workplaces.

In response, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has launched its OSH Skills Commission, a sector‑wide initiative aimed at rebuilding and future‑proofing the skills needed to keep workers safe.

The Commission was unveiled at the House of Lords and is led by RoSPA Vice President Baroness Crawley of Edgbaston. Bringing together leading voices from policy, industry, professional bodies and trade unions, the Commission will explore how the OSH profession can adapt to a rapidly changing landscape. In partnership with Speedy Hire, it will examine how to equip the next generation of professionals to protect workers across all sectors.

Baroness Crawley described the initiative as a national wake‑up call. “Our nation faces a growing occupational safety and health skills shortage that is impacting productivity and putting people in danger. Together, we have an opportunity to future‑proof OSH skills, support national productivity, and build a safer, stronger workforce,” she said.

To produce evidence‑based recommendations, the Commission will convene five expert‑led roundtables. These focus on recruitment and retention of skilled professionals, consultation and worker representation, wellbeing and psychological safety, and the integration of technology in OSH. Each session will generate insights to feed into a strategic report for government and industry.

Industry partners are already feeling the impact of shifting workforce patterns. Andy Johnson, Group HSSEQ Director at Speedy Hire, noted that “a transient, industry‑agnostic workforce is moving rapidly between roles. While this brings energy, it also creates skills and knowledge gaps that present new risks for the OSH profession.”

Nick Pahl, CEO of the Society of Occupational Medicine, welcomed the Commission’s emphasis on wellbeing and worker voice, highlighting the need for training that empowers professionals rather than burdens them. “Mental health, workplace culture and psychological safety are now integral to OSH. The solutions we identify must support both people and businesses,” he said.

The OSH Skills Commission marks the start of a wider dialogue spanning education, industry, regulation and workforce planning. Over the coming months, it will gather evidence and consult experts, culminating in a report with strategic recommendations for government, employers and educators. Without a skilled, adaptable OSH workforce, the UK risks undermining the safety, productivity and resilience of its workplaces.

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Sania Aziz

Industrial Insights

11.Feb.2026

The International Labour Organization (ILO) and the European Union have concluded a two-day regional capacity-building workshop in Amman, Jordan, focused on measuring and utilising the NEET indicator to support evidence-based youth policies across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

The event, held on 10-11 February 2026, brought together representatives from national statistical offices, ministries of labour, and employers’ and workers’ organisations from Morocco, Algeria, Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, Lebanon, Jordan, and Palestine.

Participants discussed improvements in the measurement, interpretation, and policy application of the Youth NEET (Not in Employment, Education or Training) indicator – a critical labour market tool for identifying vulnerable young people aged 15-29 outside work, education, or training.

In 2023, nearly one in three young people in MENA were classified as NEET, with rates surpassing 40% among young women in several countries. Despite its global recognition, challenges persist in definitions, data comparability, and translating statistics into effective youth employment policies.

The workshop was organised under the EU-funded ILO regional Youth NEET (Y-NEET) project, which seeks to enhance the labour market integration of NEET youth by strengthening policies, institutions, and service delivery systems over three years.

Ms Carmen Voigt from the European Union Delegation in Jordan delivered opening remarks, stating, “We are pleased to cooperate with the ILO on the regional Youth NEETs initiative and are particularly encouraged by the progress in Jordan, where the project has developed comprehensive youth NEET profiles that have been formally adopted by the Ministry of Labour.”

Ms Lara Tamimi from the Jordanian Ministry of Labour highlighted Jordan’s leadership, noting, “Hosting this regional workshop reflects Jordan’s strong commitment to advancing evidence-based youth policies. We are proud that Jordan is the first country in the region to produce a comprehensive NEET statistical profile. This was not simply a compilation of figures, but a strategic step to better understand the realities facing our youth and identify the barriers preventing their integration into employment, education or training.”

The programme combined hands-on training on calculating NEET rates from labour force survey data with policy-oriented sessions on applying evidence to target employment services, active labour market programmes, skills development, and inter-institutional coordination. ILO labour statisticians and employment policy experts jointly facilitated the sessions.

By the workshop’s end, participants achieved a shared understanding of the NEET indicator aligned with international standards, strengthened their analytical skills on youth NEET trends, and improved their capacity to inform national policy design, coordination, and monitoring.A follow-up process will include online mentoring and regional comparative analysis to maintain collaboration between data producers and policymakers.

The Y-NEET project continues to promote practical use of NEET data for designing and monitoring integrated youth employment and activation policies, including approaches similar to the Youth Guarantee.

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Sania Aziz

Industrial Insights

10.Feb.2026

His Excellency Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Minister of Interior of the Kingdom of Bahrain, received Singapore’s Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs, K. Shanmugam, and his accompanying delegation, according to Bahraini news reports. 

An official salute was performed upon the delegation’s arrival before the two ministers proceeded to formal talks. Shaikh Rashid welcomed the Singaporean minister and expressed his hope that the visit would further enhance security cooperation and coordination between Bahrain and Singapore, reflecting the strong relations between the two countries.

The Interior Minister praised the depth of bilateral ties and the shared commitment to strengthening cooperation in ways that serve the interests of both nations and their peoples. He emphasised the importance of exchanging expertise, particularly in the application of modern and digital technologies, to improve the efficiency and quality of security services.

Shaikh Rashid also highlighted the need to address common security challenges through joint action, noting both countries’ membership in the International Security Alliance, headquartered in Abu Dhabi.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed expanding cooperation in civil protection, public safety and the adoption of advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence. Talks also covered collaboration in training, knowledge exchange and combating financial and economic crimes.

Additional areas of discussion included the use of drones, Singapore’s experience in strategic planning, and the application of science and technology in security and border control systems. The ministers also reviewed training and development programmes, as well as efforts to streamline procedures through digitalisation to enhance institutional performance, quality standards and oversight mechanisms.

At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides agreed to sign an agreement regulating police cooperation across several areas. They also agreed to establish a joint follow-up and coordination committee to support technological development in the security sector, strengthen technological infrastructure and expand the use of artificial intelligence applications.

Details

Sania Aziz

Industrial Insights

04.Feb.2026

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) has adopted new Clinical Training Guidelines aimed at strengthening partnerships between higher education institutions (HEIs) and clinical training facilities, ensuring consistent, high-quality academic and practical experiences for students enrolled in health profession programmes.

The guidelines establish a unified national framework for clinical training governance, a core pillar of health professions education. They are designed to integrate theoretical learning with hands-on practice, reinforcing clinical training as a critical link between academic education and labour market needs, and supporting the graduation of qualified, job-ready healthcare professionals.

His Excellency Ibrahim Fikri, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for the Higher Education and Scientific Research Regulation and Governance Sector, said the guidelines complement the Ministry’s recent decision on governing work experience obligations in HEIs. He noted that the framework supports efforts to strengthen health education, align academic and practical training, and prepare qualified national talent for the healthcare sector. He added that the move reflects the Ministry’s commitment to unified standards that enhance the sustainability and efficiency of the healthcare system and support the UAE’s vision for an integrated education and healthcare ecosystem.

The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) also welcomed the adoption of the guidelines, highlighting their role in building a resilient and future-ready healthcare workforce. His Excellency Dr. Hussain Al Rand, Assistant Undersecretary for the Public Health Sector, said the guidelines will strengthen a comprehensive national framework for developing healthcare professionals by prioritising professional excellence and workforce readiness from the earliest stages of education.

Dr. Al Rand added that standardising clinical training frameworks helps align education outcomes with the evolving needs of the healthcare system, while ensuring clinical skills development based on competence, professional responsibility and patient safety. He stressed that strong collaboration between educational institutions and healthcare entities is essential to advancing evidence-based, knowledge-driven health policies and sustaining long-term healthcare capacity.

The National Institute for Health Specialties described the guidelines as a significant step forward in enhancing the quality of practical training across hospitals and healthcare facilities. His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Al-Houqani, Secretary General of the Institute, said the framework ensures structured, high-quality clinical training based on unified standards, enabling students to build competencies, transition smoothly into the workforce and contribute effectively to the healthcare sector’s advancement.

The guidelines apply to all health profession programmes that require clinical training under the National Qualifications Framework, excluding postgraduate pathways such as internships, residencies and fellowships. They emphasise structured clinical training to help students gain practical experience, develop professional skills and understand healthcare operations, while also supporting facilities in building national competencies and strengthening collaboration with HEIs.

They also introduce a comprehensive governance model covering planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of clinical training. Clear roles and responsibilities are defined for HEIs, healthcare facilities, supervisors and the Ministry, ensuring quality assurance and alignment with national strategies and labour market needs.

Formal, documented partnerships between HEIs and clinical training facilities are mandated through binding agreements covering training scope, capacity, supervisor qualifications, assessment processes, and legal and insurance responsibilities. The guidelines further highlight the importance of qualified supervision, adequate learning resources and progressive, competency-based training environments, supported by systematic documentation and continuous performance monitoring.

The initiative aligns with MoHESR’s broader efforts to regulate work experience in higher education through a unified national framework that defines responsibilities, supervision and monitoring mechanisms to ensure consistent, high-quality training outcomes nationwide.

Details

Louise Waters

Industrial Insights

03.Feb.2026

ECITB Global, the international division of the UK’s Engineering Construction Industry Training Board’s (ECITB) has rolled out a new course to standardise leadership-level safety training for managers and team leaders operating within engineering construction projects worldwide

The Leading a Team Safely (LaTS) course is designed to equip team leaders and managers with the essential skills and knowledge required to effectively lead their teams while maintaining the highest standards of safety and efficiency in dynamic industrial environments.

It focuses on the essentials of leadership such as planning, implementing and reviewing, with an emphasis on health and safety. It is designed to support individuals working in multiple sectors, such as oil and gas, power generation, renewables, chemical processing, manufacturing and construction.

Following a successful pilot, the LaTS course is now being rolled out throughout the ECITB’s existing licensed training provider network across multiple international regions.

ECITB head of Commercial Tristan Kemp said, “As part of a strategic alignment with industry standards and to streamline health and safety leadership training across borders, ECITB Global is implementing the Leading a Team Safely course as a key component of its global training framework.

“It will ensure a consistent, high-quality approach that mirrors UK best practices while being tailored for deployment across complex global projects, particularly in high-risk sectors such as oil and gas, petrochemicals, renewables and heavy engineering.

“LaTS emphasises influencing safety culture, effective communication and team leadership – addressing root causes of unsafe behaviour and improving team performance.”

One of the largest employers in the engineering construction industry mandated that all its supervisory staff in the UK complete the LaTS course in 2024.

Altrad trained around 1,000 UK-based workers on the LaTS course to ensure they are aware of and working to the latest safety protocols and operational best practices.

Donna Mulvihill, head of Learning & Development at Altrad, said, “The ECITB Leading a Team Safely course is instrumental in equipping our staff with the skills and knowledge necessary to maintain the highest standards of safety and operational efficiency.”

Details

Sania Aziz

Industrial Insights

03.Feb.2026

NEBOSH has renewed its partnership with global beauty company L’Oréal to launch the fourth edition of the NEBOSH L’Oréal International Bursary, aimed at supporting women seeking to enter or progress within the occupational health and safety profession.

The initiative forms part of a broader effort to address gender imbalance in health and safety roles worldwide by removing financial barriers to professional qualifications. Under the 2026 programme, 20 women from around the world will be awarded fully funded tuition and assessment for the NEBOSH International General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety.

Widely recognised by employers across multiple industries, the NEBOSH International General Certificate provides a strong foundation in health and safety management, covering risk assessment, hazard control, incident investigation and the development of effective safety systems. The qualification is often a prerequisite for entry-level and supervisory health and safety roles and is recognised in more than 170 countries.

NEBOSH said the bursary is intended to support women at different stages of their careers, including those looking to transition into health and safety from other disciplines, as well as those already working in related fields who want to formalise their knowledge and enhance career progression. By targeting women globally, the programme also reflects the increasingly international nature of health and safety roles and the need for consistent standards across borders.

Applications for the 2026 bursary opened on 22 January and will close on 20 February. Candidates are required to submit a short video outlining their motivation for pursuing a career in health and safety and explaining how achieving the NEBOSH International General Certificate will contribute to their professional development. Successful applicants will be selected based on their commitment to the profession, personal circumstances and potential to make a positive impact in workplace health and safety.

The partnership with L’Oréal builds on the company’s wider commitments to inclusion, employee wellbeing and safe working environments across its global operations. By supporting access to internationally recognised health and safety education, the bursary aligns with efforts to strengthen prevention-focused cultures and improve standards across industries.

Since its launch, the NEBOSH L’Oréal International Bursary has supported dozens of women worldwide, many of whom have gone on to secure health and safety roles or progress into more senior positions within their organisations. NEBOSH said the continued demand for the programme highlights the ongoing need for targeted initiatives that support diversity and skills development within the profession.

With applications now open, the 2026 bursary represents another opportunity for aspiring health and safety professionals to gain a recognised qualification and contribute to safer, healthier workplaces globally.

Sarah Abdalwhab QHSE Consultant and a member of the Bursary judging panel, said, “I am proud to support the NEBOSH L’Oréal International Bursary: Enabling women in health and safety. This initiative empowers women to learn, develop professionally, and build stronger representation in the global health and safety field. I have always believed that strengthening women not only supports individual careers, but is also an investment in positive change across workplaces and communities alike.”