Omantel CEO Dr. Amer bin Awadh Al Rawas to deliver keynote address
Further diversification of GCC petrochemicals needed to create jobs
Dubai, UAE, September 22, 2012: More than a dozen top executives from multinational companies and Gulf-based corporations will share their insights on creating employment for Arab youth and maximizing the performance of the local workforce at the Second Human Capital Convention, hosted by the Gulf Petrochemicals & Chemicals Association in Dubai from October 16-18.
Dr. Amer Al Rawas, Chief Executive of Oman Telecommunications Company, will deliver the event's keynote address.
Experts from Borouge, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, Royal Dutch Shell, and SAP, will also present to more than 300 HR professionals from the regional and global petrochemicals industry on the convention's central theme, 'Leading change through operational excellence.'
"We are delighted to have such a prestigious lineup of industry speakers," said Dr. Abdulwahab Al-Sadoun, Secretary General of the GPCA. "Much is expected from the fast-growing petrochemicals sector in terms of the jobs and training the region's young population needs. Implementing the best practices discussed at our second convention in Dubai will help our industry deliver on these expectations."
Global Employment Trends for Youth 2012, research published by the International Labour Organisation in May, estimates that Middle East youth unemployment is more than twice the global average, 26.5 per cent compared with 12.6 per cent.
A further International Monetary Fund study found that of 7 million Gulf jobs created in the last decade only 2 million have gone to Gulf citizens, indicating a worrying skills gap in the local market.
"Improving the skills of the labor force is a strategic priority for GCC states and needs cooperation between governments and industry, including regional chemicals producers who are investing heavily in higher education and vocational training," said Dr. Al Sadoun.
"Effective talent management, and securing a reliable pipeline of qualified personnel, is key to long-term sustainable growth. In that regard, the Second Human Capital Convention will examine effective strategies for tapping the significant potential of the Gulf workforce."
Dr. Al Sadoun added that further diversification of the GCC petrochemicals sector is needed to absorb the growing number of jobseekers in the region.
"Downstream industries can create upwards of five times as many jobs as commodity-focused petrochemicals production, which accounts for the majority of the petrochemicals sector in the Gulf. The growing need across the GCC for more labor-intensive downstream industries producing finished products will be a major topic of discussion at the convention."
Confirmed speakers at the Second GPCA Human Capital Convention include WimRoels, Chief Executive officer of Borouge; Saskia Niessen, HR Director of Lyondell Bassel; Salma Hajjaj, Leadership Development Manager at Kuwait Petroleum Corporation; Dr. Jamal Al Ammari, Head of Qatarisation and HR Account Manager, Royal Dutch Shell; Hala Al Turki, Partner, Altaaat Leadership Development Institute; Maha Khatib, Partner of Learnactive; Ken Delve, Director, Middle East PetroSkills; and SohiybSakaji, HCM Principal, MENA, SAP.
The speakers will take part in a two-day conference and a one-day pre-convention workshop at the Jumeirah Creekside Hotel in Dubai.
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About the Gulf Petrochemicals & Chemicals Association
The Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA) is the voice of the industry in the region. Established as a non-profit organization in March 2006, it is the first trade association in the Gulf and the largest and most respected industry body representing the downstream sector in the Middle East.
Today, the association has 180 members from 31 countries, including the largest Arab world and multinational companies.
Committed to providing a regional forum where stakeholders from across the industry share insights, solutions and new ideas, the GPCA has five working committees - Human Resources, Plastics, Supply Chain, Fertilizers, Advocacy, and Responsible Care - and organizes five world-class events each year. The association also publishes an annual report and a regular industry newsletter, Insight.
Since its inception, the GPCA has raised the standard for industry-wide cooperation and continues to promote the region and its interests in the international policymaking sphere.
Additional information is available at www.gpca.org.ae and the GPCA can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.
© Press Release 2012
