Accenture (NYSE: ACN), a global professional services company, is collaborating with investment company Al Maskari Holding on a program to equip UAE nationals with the skills needed to future-proof their careers and to strengthen the local talent base.
The collaboration focuses on attracting and nurturing the best regional talent as well as Emiratis living abroad. It is also designed to enable Emiratis to build their careers and contribute to their country’s growth and innovation agendas.
In line with its commitment to helping UAE nationals hone their future workplace skills, Accenture has launched multiple initiatives to help address talent gaps. These initiatives are designed to help Emiratis acquire the practical skills, including critical thinking and problem-solving, that are universally applicable regardless of their professional interests.
“In keeping with the objectives of the UAE Vision 2021, we are dedicated to playing an active role in developing young talent,” said Alexis Lecanuet, regional managing director for Accenture in the Middle East and Turkey. “With proper support, Emirati youth will be able to reach their true potential. Our collaboration with Al Maskari Holding will considerably increase employment opportunities for UAE nationals and provide them with the skills needed for success.”
Mohamed Al Maskari, director of Government Affairs at Al Maskari Holding, said, “To keep up with the rapid pace of technological change, UAE nationals — as is true of all nationalities — must continually challenge themselves and embrace lifelong learning to stay relevant. Accenture’s global reach and breadth of experience allow it to understand local market nuances and requirements and develop targeted programs that align the currently available talent supply with employer needs.”
The program will include support for the hiring of Emirati talent, campus development campaigns in the UAE, corporate social responsibility programs, and inclusion and diversity programs.
Of equal importance, supporting women throughout their careers and driving gender diversity within the workforce are crucial in the UAE as organizations work to harness and develop their people’s skills. A recent report by Accenture titled “Getting to Equal 2019” shows that while diversity factors alone (e.g., a diverse leadership team and a gender-balanced workforce) have a significant impact on the willingness and ability to innovate, a culture of equality is the essential multiplier to help companies maximize innovation.
“In addition to developing tailored upskilling programs that help people transition to jobs that are in demand locally, we are using Accenture’s insight into creating a culture of equality to attract Emirati talent from abroad,” Al Maskari said.
In 2018, Accenture was ranked No. 1 on Thomson Reuters’ Index of the World’s Most Diverse and Inclusive Companies. On the path to gender equality, Accenture set bold goals to achieve a gender-balanced workforce by 2025 and to have women account for 25% of managing directors by 2020.
