“RAPIDLY evolving technology, industry globalization and the growing scale of the Gulf petrochemicals sector are increasing the demands on leadership, in terms of both operational strategy and team management,” Dr. Abdulwahab Al-Sadoun, Secretary General of the Gulf Chemicals and Petrochemicals Association said recently at the annual GPCA Human Capital Convention in Dubai. “The GCPA Human Capital Convention explores the tools and best practices needed to help those leading our industry navigate future challenges and opportunities successfully.” With further downstream development, the region's petrochemical industry can be a significant source of jobs for Gulf citizens, considering the substantial investments earmarked for the sector in the near to medium term, Al-Sadoun said. “The fact the UAE youth unemployment rate is nearly double the world average of around 12 percent shows the importance of HR management and the need for greater company leadership to integrate UAE nationals more effectively into the workforce,” he addedYahya Al Marzouqi, senior advisor to the CEO at Abu Dhabi-based petrochemicals producer Borouge, said in a presentation titled “The Impact of Leadership on the Retention of Nationals” that inconsistency in education systems and candidate inexperience were factors challenging the integration of the UAE's 15,000 graduates entering the workforce every year. Despite the creation of 800,000 jobs per year in the UAE, the employment of nationals is hindered by issues including a shortage of mentorship programs and a lack of transparency as companies choose to advertise their vacancies abroad, he added. Al Marzouqi moreover said lack of empowerment and poor recognition were two of the main reasons why UAE nationals abandoned jobs in the private sector. – SG
