Closing the certification gap in corrosion Protection

Across the Gulf, billions of dollars are poured into pipelines, desalination plants and critical infrastructure designed to fuel economies and sustain societies. Yet beneath the layers of steel and protective coatings lies a more fragile foundation: the workforce itself. Without consistent training and internationally recognised certifications, welds can fail, coatings may be misapplied and inspections lose their credibility — leading to costly downtime, environmental risks and shortened asset lifespans.
For Alan Thomas, CEO of the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP), the issue is clear. “Certification is not just a box to check — it’s a vital safeguard”, he explains. “Globally, corrosion causes an estimated $2.5 trillion in economic losses yearly and in the oil and gas sector alone, corrosion-related failures can account for 20–30% of unplanned maintenance costs. Certification ensures coatings are applied correctly, welds meet specifications, inspections are credible and downtime is minimised. It creates a shared language of competence and accountability”.
That shared language is something Oman and the wider Gulf are beginning to embrace more urgently. With over $1 trillion in infrastructure projects planned or underway across the GCC, the stakes are high. “There’s a growing recognition in the Gulf that technical excellence must be matched by workforce readiness”, Thomas notes. “Oman, in particular, is taking steps to close the training gap by investing in localised education and seeking partnerships to upskill its workforce. We see increasing demand for internationally recognised credentials and AMPP is here to meet that need, not just with global standards, but with local delivery”.
The risks of inaction are stark. In high-salinity environments like the Gulf, small mistakes can snowball into catastrophic failures. Thomas warns that “up to 40% of pipeline failures are linked to corrosion-related issues, many due to human error, misapplied coatings, or inspection oversights. Without properly certified professionals, these risks multiply — jeopardising safety, driving up lifecycle costs and even damaging reputations”.
For AMPP, the path forward is about building capability, not dependency. The association has already certified more than 85,000 professionals in over 150 countries, with credentials spanning corrosion engineering, coatings inspection, cathodic protection and more. “These certifications are portable, rigorous and globally recognised”, says Thomas. “In Oman and across the Gulf, we’re expanding our reach through localised training centres, digital delivery models and strategic partnerships to ensure professionals can access world-class training without leaving their home country”.
This theme will also resonate at OMCORR 2025 (Oman Corrosion & Materials Innovation Summit), where discussions on coatings, materials and digital monitoring are expected to converge with one of the most urgent issues of all: ensuring the people applying these solutions are trained and certified to global standards.
Beyond training, AMPP is working with regulators and industry leaders to align regional standards with international best practices. This includes technical guidance on policy, certification frameworks and safety protocols. “We’re eager to collaborate with Gulf regulators, operators and training institutions”, Thomas emphasises. “This is how Oman and the broader region can cultivate a corrosion protection workforce that’s globally competent, locally rooted and built for long-term resilience”.
A cornerstone of this effort is AMPP’s QP (Quality Programme) Accreditation, which allows operators to require that their industrial coatings contractors undergo rigorous audits and field evaluations. “Through QP Accreditation, asset owners gain additional peace of mind”, Thomas explains. “It reduces risk, ensures quality and creates accountability across the supply chain”.
For Oman, closing the certification gap is more than a workforce development initiative — it is the next frontier in safeguarding its vast infrastructure investments. By embedding international standards into local practice, the Sultanate of Oman can ensure that its pipelines, desalination plants and industrial assets are not just built to last, but maintained with precision, accountability and resilience.