OCTG Technical School: A Successful First Edition Concludes
The inaugural edition of the OCTG Technical School for Junior Technical Sales has just concluded, marking a significant milestone in the professional development of Vallourec’s new technical sales team. The program, which ran throughout 2025, culminated in a closing ceremony on December 4th, where all nine participating junior technical sales professionals proudly received their diplomas. This first edition proved to be a resounding success, setting a strong foundation for future initiatives.
A program shaping the future
Over the past year, trainees embarked on an intensive learning journey aimed at strengthening their theoretical foundations, developing essential soft skills, and deepening their understanding of operational and industrial processes.
The program focused on three key areas: technical expertise, customer engagement, and internal processes. Participants deepened their knowledge of pipe manufacturing, drilling and completion fundamentals, R&D procedures, and discovered emerging energy solutions. At the same time, they honed commercial skills such as communication, negotiation, and presenting Vallourec solutions, while gaining a clear understanding of internal workflows, claims management, and quality and regulatory standards.
Training combined in-person sessions with interactive online modules, complemented by mill visits across Vallourec sites and rig demos. This blended approach ensured participants acquired both strong technical foundations and essential business skills.
By the end of the program, participants are fully equipped to master Vallourec products and processes and articulate their value to customers. They can turn complex needs into practical solutions, respond quickly, anticipate challenges thanks to hands-on experience, and build trust-based relationships while negotiating effectively. These capabilities directly reinforce our commercial strategy, enhancing credibility, speeding up decision-making, and positioning Vallourec as a trusted partner driving growth and customer loyalty.
Reflecting on the program’s impact, Toufik Maidi, Well Engineering Marketing & Development and the program’s manager, shared:
“After a full year of intensive training, our technical sales teams are now equipped to better support oil & gas customers. The OCTG Technical School—part of Vallourec’s initiative to boost junior employee competencies and customer engagement—focused on consolidating technical knowledge, developing soft skills, and deepening operational expertise.
A huge thank you to all participants for your dedication, hard work, and commitment throughout this journey. Your engagement and willingness to grow are what make our team stronger and our service to customers even better.”
Trainee Feedback
Feedback from the trainees highlighted the program’s positive impact on both their technical expertise and personal growth. Many participants emphasized how the curriculum deepened their understanding of OCTG processes, strengthened their soft skills, and provided valuable opportunities to connect with colleagues from around the world. The blend of theoretical and practical learning, along with the diversity of perspectives within the group, contributed to a truly enriching experience.
One of the trainees shared:
“The experience of participating in the Technical School program was truly wonderful. I had the opportunity to increase my knowledge on steel grades, pipe application, and connection solutions, which enriched my professional development. Beyond the academic and technical aspects, the program also allowed me to connect with colleagues from all over the world. Sharing ideas, perspectives, and experiences with such a diverse group was incredibly rewarding and broadened my global outlook.”
The valuable insights and feedback gathered from this inaugural edition will shape the future development of the program, ensuring it continues to meet the evolving needs of our teams. Congratulations to all our trainees! We are excited to welcome the next cohort and look forward to building on this success with the 2026 class.
