Twenty employees from Abu Dhabi Farmers Services Centre were the first batch of government workers to start the mini MBA programme at the PwC Academy last week. The workers were chosen from all divisions of the organisation to take part in the programme that entails a total of one hundred training hours to be learnt over sixteen days. The ADFSC staff members will study nine modules that will improve their critical thinking in the workplace in a variety of areas including, project management, corporate strategy and human capital.
"This programme enables participants to comprehend their roles within a wider business framework. By linking corporate strategy and objectives with the environmental forces of the UAE, employees gain competencies and skills, as well as a toolbox to confront the challenges they face on a daily basis." Said Chris Hirst, Chief Executive Officer, ADFSC. "The goal of the programme is to develop future leaders of ADFSC to become strategic and forward thinkers."
Many of the ADFSC students were selected based on their individual Career Development Plan. Each plan is an agreement on long-term professional goals made between the staff member, their immediate director and the Human Resources Division. Other students were selected for the training based on high levels of performance illustrated at regular job evaluations.
"The training will benefit ADFSC in the future as the programme offers a holistic approach by focusing on areas vital to the organisation's success. Understanding the interdependences and links among departments can make ADFSC's value chain more efficient and effective" added Hirst.
The purpose of the mini MBA is not only to increase the knowledge of the employees but in addition to prepare them the students for future challenges that they will encounter throughout their careers. The program is also an investment in the talent of ADFSC.
"No organization can develop without developing their staff first. It's a critical investment for the Human Resources Division to allow ADFSC employees to improve their knowledge and hone their skills." Najla Al Nahdi, Training and Talent Management Unit Head, ADFSC. "This investment in the employees of ADFSC is part of a strategic plan focused on Emiratisation and working towards the 2030 vision of the Abu Dhabi."
The mini MBA program is the brainchild of PwC Middle East. Formerly Price Waterhouse Coopers, PwC has been active in the United Arab Emirates for over twenty five years specializing in areas of audit, assurance, business advisory services and taxation. This skill-set has allowed PwC to create the PwC academy, an educational business committed to supporting the sustainable growth of local talent across the region.
"We are excited to have ADFSC as our first government organisation to study the mini MBA in Abu Dhabi. The programme will provide students with practical skills they can use throughout their career. The training will also benefit the organisation as we focus on bringing our experience of global business into the classroom and giving the students real world examples that they can immediately use in the work place." Amanda Line PwC Partner
The academy currently operates across the Middle East from six countries: UAE, Oman, Egypt, Lebanon, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. PwC's Academy in the Middle East is part of a growing network of Academies present in over thirty countries worldwide.
The mini MBA Programme is designed to provide participants with a practical understanding of the modern organisation. The training includes a number of presentations, videos and interactive group exercises.
The twenty ADFSC students are due to graduate from the mini MBA programme in early December.
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© Press Release 2014
