For the second consecutive year, Middle East Rail 2017 will feature an innovative career exploration zone for engineering graduates and students to gain first-hand insight into in-demand skills and current job openings in the region›s railway transportation sector. In line with its commitment to support World Economic Forum's Vision for Arab Employment Initiative to make 100,000 youths job-ready by 2017, Middle East Rail will bring together rail operators, government authorities and leading multinational rail suppliers to offer career guidance to young engineers as they progress along their career path in railway and mobility infrastructure sector. Led by WEF's MENA Regional Business Council, the Vision for Arab Employment Initiative aims to fill the talent gap in the Middle East and tackle employment challenge in the region by providing skilling opportunities to young people. Terrapinn, organizer of Middle East Rail 2017, has partnered with DB Engineering & Consulting, a subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn, to introduce its educational program "Rail Academies" led by one of the world's leading passenger and logistics companies. The program will offer insight into skills needed for the increasing demands of modern rail infrastructure sector and give an overview on rail specific training programs. It will also provide an opportunity to engineering graduates and students to meet prospective employers and establish contacts for future job openings. Young professionals who have already embarked on successful careers in rail engineering will be present to share their experiences and answer any questions future students might have. Heiko Scholz, Director of Global Rail Academies at DB Engineering & Consulting, said: "The railway industry now stands on the brink of great change with increasing innovation and disruption in transport sector. Engineering disciplines have become more specialized and engineers of tomorrow need to understand the industry demands and trends so that they can align their academic field experience and skillset with the opportunities and economic needs of the future." Scholz added: "With over $100 billion GCC rail projects in pipeline, it has never been more important than now to attract and retain the best and brightest talents to deliver much needed infrastructure in the region and sustain growth in passenger and freight railway industry." The goal of WEF's project is to raise awareness, facilitate exchange of knowledge and best practices among participating organizations, generate commitments from organizations to the issue, and trigger a shift of mindset from talent as a competitive space to a collaborative space that will eventually lead to partnerships. — SG
