Expand Your Horizon initiative aims to fill a gap in the market for a new generation of job seekers

UAE, Dubai, 09 September, 2015: INJAZ Al-Arab, the regional office of Junior Achievement Worldwide, today launched the "Expand Your Horizon" (EYH) initiative in collaboration with key corporate partners, as a direct call to action to empower youth across the Middle East and North Africa region via the opening-up of private sector job opportunities.

The initiative launched today, will centre on five growth sectors including: aviation, through a partnership with Boeing; hospitality, through a partnership with Marriott International; media, through a partnership with MBC Hope; entrepreneurship, through a partnership with Wamda; and logistics, through a partnership with Aramex. Other major supporters include Hill+Knowlton Strategies, Bayt.com , YouGov and McKinsey.

Akef Aqrabawi, President and CEO of JA Middle East/ North Africa, INJAZ Al-Arab, comments: "Unemployment is a growing concern in the Middle East for Arab youth. Furthermore, our research shows that students have limited understanding about the industries where jobs are, and thus are continuing to limit their efforts on government jobs. The Expand Your Horizon program has therefore been designed to serve as a tool to encourage youth to learn more about the industries with the most potential, and link them to existing opportunities in the market."

'Expand Your Horizon' involves a coalition of global entities from growth industries focused on showcasing employment and internship opportunities available in the region. The program will provide information about these key growth sectors with an aim to empower youth to make more informed decisions about their future career paths and to steer them towards viable work experience opportunities.

A key component of 'Expand Your Horizon' will be the interactive web portal which will contain information about internship opportunities across the Middle East and critical information about growth industries and their skill demands. It will also provide practical information about resume writing, applying for internships and other job search skills.

Aqrabawi added: "We are excited to be launching this platform that will bring together employers and future employees in a simple and convenient way. Our partners have been fundamental in driving this campaign in to a reality and creating a clear path towards Arab youth empowerment."

For further information contact:
Wajd Breek
Hill+Knowlton Strategies
Wajd.Breek@hkstrategies.com
 
INJAZ Al-Arab & Junior Achievement Worldwide
Operating in 14 countries across the Middle East and North Africa, INJAZ Al-Arab is the largest non-profit organization dedicated to overcoming unemployment in the region and aims to inspire a culture of entrepreneurship and business innovation among Arab youth.

Partnering with leading companies in the private sector, INJAZ Al-Arab equips Arab youth to drive the economies of the Arab World forward through training designed to inspire them to develop ambition, entrepreneurship and professional skills.

Named one of the top 100 NGOs in the world by Global Journal, INJAZ Al-Arab has influenced the lives of over 2 million students since its inception in 2004. INJAZ Al-Arab is a member of Junior Achievement; the world's largest and fastest-growing youth business organisation dedicated to educating students about workforce readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy through experiential, hands-on programs.

© Press Release 2015