The first batch of Saudi trainees under Nestlé's Sales Training Academy, one of The Nestlé Centre of Excellence's programs, graduated last Dec. 17 in Riyadh. The Nestlé Centre of Excellence is designed to attract, develop and retain young Saudi graduates with the objective to offer career opportunities. The establishment of a sustainable training center is part of the company's commitment to create shared value – value for the business and value for the society in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The purpose of the center is to assist young Saudi graduates to bridge the gap between the academic curriculum and the expectations of a multinational company. After completion of the program, the graduates will be prepared to enter the Saudi workforce equipped with the skills necessary to take up a commercial career. Nestlé Saudi Arabia Country Manager Roger Meguerdichian said that the Training Academy program was designed to build capabilities of the Saudi workforce and to add diversification to the economy by developing skilled people with the best of local and global knowledge. He added that the Nestlé Centre of Excellence programs emphasized the company's commitment towards creating employment opportunities for Saudi graduates whether at Nestlé or outside. Yves Manghardt, Chairman and CEO of Nestle Middle East, said: “We strongly believe that for a company to be successful over the long term, it must create value for both – for business and society. Creating Shared Value is therefore Nestlé's fundamental way of doing business. The Nestlé Centre of Excellence is enriching the Saudi talent pool and at the same time developing young Saudis in both sales and nutrition that might become candidates for Nestlé employment in the future.” The first training program started with 27 trainees, of whom 15 will be graduating. — SG
