1978 ATI was established to offer a two-year training program for an initial group of 64 UAE national trainees to operate the salt and chlorine plant which was then under construction in Sas Al Nakhl (formerly Umm Al Nar). It was then called the Career Development Center (CDC).
1980 The need to extend this service to other specialisations and other Group Companies was recognised. Consequently, a Technical Program of two-year duration in three specialisations (Process Operations, Instrumentation and Mechanical Maintenance) was introduced.
1981 There was a need to increase the number of UAE Nationals undertaking training at ATI and subsequently entering the workforce. In response to this, a one-year Preparatory Program was introduced. This provided training
for applicants initially unable to meet entry standards of Technical Programs.
1983 The Electrical specialisation track was added to the Technical Program.
1985 A Higher Technical Program was created. The Program was offered in Process Operations, Instrumentation and Mechanics. In the same year, the curriculum (including the new Higher Technical Program) was reviewed for accreditation.
1990 ATI came under the direct management of ADNOC which took control of all aspects of the program.
1998 Accreditation by Ministry of Education was obtained and an Annex of ATI was opened in Madinat Zayed to serve the training requirements of the Western Region. In the same year, the ‘Advanced Technical Program’ was introduced in partnership between ATI and the Higher Colleges of Technology.
2001 A Board of Trustees was established to supervise all ATI activities and to work towards establishing ATI autonomy.
2002 The Preparatory Program was renamed ‘Foundation Program’.
2003 The ATI Quality Enhancement Project (QEP) was initiated for the purpose of upgrading ATI’s academic, training, and IT capabilities.
2005 The QEP modernised and strengthened ATI’s IT infrastructure greatly improving its capabilities to deliver courses using the latest educational technology. ATI adopted a new logo that defined its mission.
2006 ATI was reorganised to offer additional support services by adding the Shared Service Section, an IT unit, an Admin/HR Unit, a Finance Unit, a Registration and Records Unit, a Testing Center, and a Learning Enhancement Center.
2007 A new curriculum and assessment system for the Foundation Program was completed and fully implemented
2008 ATI relocated to a new purpose built campus in Shawarmekh, which included a modern educational technology infrastructure.
2009 ATI gained internationally recognised accreditation from the Scottish Qualification Authority (SQA) for its mechanical technician program. The instrumentation and electrical programs are also being prepared to qualify for this award. In the same year, ATI began to offer the internationally recognised PET language certification (Preparatory English Test) to all final year trainees. In addition, ATI became a Cambridge University (ESOL) PET test centre.
2010 In order to enhance the training provided by ATI, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between ATI and Schlumberger Middle East & Asia Learning Centre. Also ATI was presented with SQA’s International Star Award, which recognizes the achievements of training centres which deliver SQA qualifications to international students in Scotland and overseas. ATI was the first institution in the UAE to receive this recognition. In addition to this ATI gained authorisation to offer SQA Verifier and Assessor awards. The authorisation to deliver these two training units to internal and external candidates has greatly increased ATI’s status as a training provider for technical instructors. Finally 2010 saw the completion of the ATI expansion and the opening of new facilities including a library and student hostel. 2011: A revised mission and vision statement was agreed by BOT members and endorsed by its Chairman. The new statements reflect the Institute’s aspiration to become the best vocational education provider in the region and its role in the development and education of young UAE nationals in support of ADNOC Group of Companies.
2011 saw the first batch of ATI graduates to receive the Mechanical Technician (Oil and Gas) Award under the ATI / SQA Customised Joint Award Scheme (CJAS). ATI also successfully provided its first external training course for the Supreme Petroleum Council, Crisis Management Team (CMT). The three month Petroleum Operations for Engineers Programme (POEP), provided an in depth overview of the Petroleum Industry for Engineers and Technicians of the CMT.
Our Mission
ATI is committed to providing exemplary education and technical training to young UAE nationals planning to join the workforce of the ADNOC Group Companies as plant technicians and process operators. Programmes are developed in line with international educational, technical and industrial standards while fostering the ethics, national identity and culture of the UAE.
Our Vision
ATI seeks to maintain its role as the leading provider of general education and high-quality technical training for prospective employees of the Oil and Gas Industry.
The ADNOC Technical Institute has the unique, dual function of providing a technical secondary school education and a job-specific foundation for young UAE Nationals as a starting point for their future careers in the nation’s oil and gas industry. To meet this challenge, ATI features a state-of-the-art learning facility located on a campus on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi.