-Over 200 EQUATE employees have benefited from Dow training to date -
Kuwait: The Dow Chemical Company - a leader in science and technology - is providing advanced technical training to EQUATE's engineers under the company's International Assignment Program (IAP), a training program designed to improve overall operational efficiency by enhancing the skill set, knowledge and productivity of its employees.
The nine-month IAP program is based on world class standards of excellence and includes training modules in advanced technology, Six Sigma and Production Engineering. As part of its ongoing efforts to promote knowledge transfer and the development of human capital in Kuwait, Dow has been supporting EQUATE and its employee development objectives for 15 years. Kuwaiti Engineers have been gaining hands-on experience through working at Dow's plants around the world and participating in best-in-class training programs.
In the past five years, Dow has delivered over 5,000 days of training to over 200 EQUATE employees; which translates to nearly 14 consecutive years of training, 365 days a year. Currently, seven Kuwaiti Engineers are working on advanced training and development programs at Dow's plants in different locations worldwide.
"We are proud to be playing an active and critical role in the development of Kuwaiti nationals through training and knowledge transfer that will ultimately increase their value in the market place, and enhance their efficiency as world-class petrochemicals professionals," said Markus Wildi, President of Dow Middle East and Vice President of Corporate Development in Kuwait. "Dow has helped train hundreds of employees at EQUATE across various disciplines as diverse as Treasury, Finance, Marketing, Human Resources and Six Sigma making a significant impact in boosting the expertise, knowledge and experience of its workforce."
Talent development and training of Kuwaiti nationals are key elements which contribute to the growth and development of the petrochemicals sector. Kuwait has some of the most qualified professionals across the Middle East. In addition, the Kuwait industrial sector is known to be one of the most active sectors across the GCC and accounts for an estimate of 48% of the country's GDP[1].
As one of Kuwait's largest foreign investors, and one of the largest employers of Kuwaiti nationals through its JVs, Dow has worked with its Kuwaiti partners for 15 years to introduce state-of-the-art training opportunities for Kuwaiti talents. Dow's training played a pivotal role in providing access to technology and building global business management expertise, while strengthening the skills and expertise of the workforce of its joint-venture partners.
-Ends-
About Dow
Dow combines the power of science and technology with the "Human Element" to passionately innovate what is essential to human progress. The Company connects chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help address many of the world's most challenging problems such as the need for clean water, renewable energy generation and conservation, and increasing agricultural productivity. Dow's diversified industry-leading portfolio of specialty chemical, advanced materials, agrosciences and plastics businesses deliver a broad range of technology-based products and solutions to customers in approximately 160 countries and in high growth sectors such as electronics, water, energy, coatings and agriculture. In 2009, Dow had annual sales of $45 billion and employed approximately 52,000 people worldwide. The Company's more than 5,000 products are manufactured at 214 sites in 37 countries across the globe. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com.
About Dow in Kuwait
For nearly 15 years, Dow and Petrochemical Industries Company K.S.C. (PIC) of Kuwait have shared one successful milestone after another, partnering on six industry-leading joint ventures: EQUATE Petrochemical Company, MEGlobal, Equipolymers, EQUATE Marketing Company, The Kuwait Olefins Company (TKOC), and The Kuwait Styrene Company (TKSC). As the largest foreign investor, and the largest private employer of Kuwaiti nationals, through its JVs, in the petrochemicals industry in Kuwait, Dow has consistently promoted economic development and prosperity. Dow and PIC's joint ventures combine Dow's strong existing asset base, technology position and market presence. Dow's partnership with Kuwait's noted NGO, LoYAC is in line with Dow's commitment to the communities in which it operates. LoYAC is noted in Kuwait for its inspired, innovative youth education and activities program, such as Dow's sole partnership of the F1 Schools Challenge, support of LoYAC's award winning Drama Club and other youth developmental programs in Kuwait and abroad.
For further information on Dow:
Hamdi Derkawi
Dow Chemical IMEA GmbH
T +971.4.312.3662
hdrkawi@dow.com
Rosie Muhanna
Weber Shandwick
T +965 2249 7851/2/3
rosie.muhanna@ws-mena.com
Anan Ibrahim
Weber Shandwick
T +971 4 321 0077
anan.ibrahim@ws-mena.com
[1] Figures and statistics are obtained from the World Fact Book - (2009 est.)
© Press Release 2010
