With the help of structured training programmes, the company has improved its operating procedures and maintained high levels of safety standards

For Khidmah, one of the leading providers of facilities management (FM) services in the UAE, the focus on employee training and well-being has always been paramount. 

According to Maher Al Aghbar, chief operations officer, Khidmah, the company’s reputation is driven by experienced and knowledgeable staff.

“Having staff that understand all aspects of the business helps us remain competitive in the market and constantly set and enhance service delivery standards,” he stated.

Khidmah currently has over 3,200 employees and provides services to more than 80 projects in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Structured training programmes

With the help of structured training programmes, the company has improved its operating procedures and maintained high levels of safety standards.

"The health, safety, and well-being of our employees are of critical importance to Khidmah. We have launched a number of safety initiatives as well as training and awareness programmes which have enabled us to ensure the highest levels of safety performance and to develop a strong culture of safety and well-being organisation-wide,” says Aghbar.

In 2021, Khidmah won the ‘Excellence in Training’ accolade during the Middle East Cleaning, Hygiene and Facilities (MECHF) Awards.

The award was a testament to the success of the Khidmah Training Centre, which was launched in 2019 as a specialised training and development facility to deliver soft and hard FM classroom and practical training programmes.

All the trainers at the centre are BICSc certified and qualified assessors who conduct regular sessions to improve staff’s skill sets and ensure they are up to date on the latest technologies and trends shaping the industry.

Khidmah has initiated several programmes at the training centre that cover Covid-19 work procedures, safe operation of the machines and building maintenance units, safe operation of mobile elevated working platform in compliance with IPAF Standards, high-level cleaning procedures, work at heat and height training, firefighting and marshalling, emergency response procedures, waste management procedures, safe use of personal protective equipment, confined spaces entry-exit and rescue procedures, handling of hazardous chemical procedures, and lifeguard operations.

Improved safety through training

Conducting regular training programmes has contributed to enhancing the safety of workers.

In 2021, Khidmah set a new benchmark in its safety standards by achieving 7.2mn safe man-hours. The figure is inclusive of the 2.3mn hours achieved during the summer season.

“This accomplishment owes to the hard work and proactive efforts of all our employees. The impressive safe man hours achieved in 2021 reflects our commitment to leveraging the highest international standards of safety, quality, and security to protect our employees and maintain a safe and healthy environment across all facets of our operations,” says Aghbar.

The company’s focus on staff wellbeing also helped mitigate challenges of the pandemic. “During the pandemic, we faced constraints in logistics, critical spare parts and human resources,” said Abdellatif Sfaxi, CEO at Khidmah. “However, Khidmah was among the very first few companies in the UAE to vaccinate 98% of its staff, which resulted in minimum disruption to operations.” 

Other notable safety initiatives include the ‘I See I Fix’ campaign that encourages employees on all levels to be more responsible and take charge whenever they encounter an issue concerning health and safety, and the ‘Beat the Heat’ campaign, in which employees are given in-depth training on mid-break regulations and guidelines provided by the UAE government.