PROFESSIONAL services firm PwC welcomed 69 Saudi-based graduates, including 64 Saudi nationals, to the company as part of its ongoing commitment to developing local talent in the Kingdom. 13 Saudi female graduates are part of the intake announced today. The graduates, who joined from a wide range of educational backgrounds, studied at various top universities in the Kingdom as well as international universities. "The record number of new graduate hires this month is a reflection of our growth in the region, as well as our commitment to investing in and developing local talent in Saudi Arabia", said Jacques Fakhoury, PwC Saudi Arabia Country Leader. "It also remains important for PwC not to lose sight of the diversity that makes our company so successful, which is why we are continuing to hire female Saudi graduates like the 13 today." Mohammad Alkhuwaiter a graduate from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, said: "As a recent graduate I know the Saudi employment market is very competitive, so I am delighted to be able to join a respected multinational company like PwC. Their graduate scheme offers us, as Saudis, the opportunity to fulfill our potential and contribute to our society." Dana Al Mojel, a graduate from a university in the United States of Americal said: "Saudi Arabia is making moves to open the economy to more and more foreign investment, which is perfect as there are a lot of Saudi graduates who know the culture, the appropriate way of doing business in Kingdom, and have the drive to succeed. So being offered a role within PwC is perfect for me and the other Saudis who joined this year." More widely across the Middle East, PwC has hired more than 250 graduates across its business, an annual increase of 60%, in what marks a major milestone for the firm and underpins its long-term commitment to the region. Demonstrating its strong reputation for career opportunity and development, the firm attracted the widest ever range of candidates based on gender, nationality and background. 80% of the graduates are Arabic speakers joining from across 4 continents, and comprise of more than 35 nationalities. 32% of the graduate intake was female, underscoring the firm's commitment to provide more opportunities for women and upcoming generations and support their success. According to the OECD, less than one in five women in the Middle East are actively employed - across its entire business 30% of PwC's employees are women. The intake is a record high for PwC in the region, and was marked by a regional two week graduate induction event in Yas Island, UAE, in what the firm believes is the region's largest gathering of graduates in professional services. During the event, the graduates were welcomed at a gala dinner by the firm's regional leadership team and Board, including Territory Senior Partner for the region, Hani Ashkar. After the event the graduates will embark on a three year development program in nine countries across PwC's Middle East network. In the Kingdom, 34 of these graduates have also been participating in PwC specific Assurance training the week after the overall training, moreover other specialized trainings for consulting and Deals took place in the UAE. PwC's business in the region has continued to perform strongly and growth has accelerated over the last 12 months. The graduates join PwC's current staff of 3,850 in the Middle East, an increase of more than 1,000 people in two years. Universum recently named PwC as the second most desirable workplace for employees globally in their annual survey World's Most Attractive Employer. In the region, this is reflected in its commitment to supporting the development of local talent.
