Motorola expands university relations to hire national graduates across Middle East and Africa

These efforts will include the expansion of its University Relations program across the region, in order to attract new national talent to meet anticipated demand for its mobile devices and networks & enterprise solutions.

"Given the rate of infrastructure development and economic progress in the region, there is going to be a talent crunch unless companies like Motorola identify the most capable new graduates and equip them with professional skills. By working more closely with regional universities, we're creating employment opportunities and growing our regional operations at the same time," said Diaa Mohamed, Regional Human Resources Director for Motorola Middle East & Africa.

In 2006, Motorola has recruited more than 110 university graduates from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Pakistan, Nigeria, and South Africa, while engaging 85 interns in work experience schemes.

"By drawing staff from the regional universities to meet our business growth targets and to bring our vision of Seamless Mobility to life, Motorola attracts some of the best new minds in areas such as engineering, sales, and marketing while addressing the issue of employment for recent graduates," continued Mohamed.

"Engaging with the regional education sector and creating internships enables Motorola to help strengthen the link between what is taught at universities and the skills required in the workplace. We recognize that the Middle East, Africa and Pakistan are regions of robust growth for Motorola and we need fresh talent on the ground in those markets to grow our business there,"

he added.

In 2006, Motorola has rolled out the following programmes aimed at hiring national graduates:

• Conducting more than 100 interviews at King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals' career day, out of which more than 10 engineers were hired by Motorola Saudi Arabia. In addition, 30 graduates were hired from various Technology colleges in Riyadh, Jeddah & Abha.
• Testing more than 250 graduates in Pakistan for WiMAX-specific recruitment, out of which 22 graduated were hired and 18 interns engaged. Pakistan is currently deploying the world's only country-wide WiMAX deployment, based on Motorola technology.
• Motorola Management Academy in which 16 local junior managers are selected annually to go through 12-months of training, coaching and on the job training to enhance managerial skills and leadership development.
• UAE Management Trainee Program: 5 UAE nationals who are considered among the best and brightest in their studies join a 12-months intensive training program annually. They have the opportunity to complete three 4 months rotations in different departments after which they will be assigned to exciting permanent roles.
• Technical Development Programmes in South Africa: 26 engineers and technical graduates go through two years development programme with a focus on young black engineering graduates. Successful graduates will be given permanent roles in our African operations.