HSBC, DIB and CBD launch Emiratisation.org

The association kicked off today with the first ever Emiratisation.org steering committee meeting held at the Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza hotel in Dubai.

The inaugural meeting was attended by Emiratisation managers from the three founding members and delegates from X-Logic, Human Assets Magazine, MKM Holdings and GASCO. The latter delegated Thomas Bartridge with a presentation about GASCO's Integrated Competence-Based Development System for Emiratisation. Karen Storey from X-Logic facilitated a members brainstorming session.

"HSBC has invested considerable resources in its Emiratisation programme and has accumulated knowledge of best practices over years", said Fuad Shaiban, HSBC Middle East HR Manager of Special Projects. "Emiratisation.org and the associated website www.emiratisation.org will allow us to disseminate that knowledge and make a positive contribution to the Emiratisation programmes of other companies."

"Dubai Islamic Bank is always keen to participate in career fairs and to attract UAE national job seekers", said Obaid Khalifa Al-Shamsi, Emiratisation Manager at Dubai Islamic Bank. "We view Emiratisation.org not only as an opportunity to demonstrate our corporate social responsibility. We also see it as a very practical way to promote our Emiratisation drive to candidates and to help young Emiratis make their career choice."

"We consider Emiratisation as important an activity as any other banking business. I really value the opportunity to network with colleagues and share experiences", said S.S.A.Zaidi, Manager Career Development at Commercial Bank of Dubai. "Our quarterly steering committee meetings are an excellent way to learn about Emiratisation efforts in other companies. We hope to recruit more members from other sectors and make the association truly representative of the UAE. The more inclusive we are the more we can learn from each other."

Emiratisation.org is an initiative for Emiratisation managers from different sectors and companies. The steering committee gathers once a quarter for discussions, decisions and presentations.

The association has wide reach through the website www.emiratisation.org (25,000+ visitors per month), the newsletter (30,000+ subscribers) and through Human Assets Magazine.

The founding members invite companies from all sectors to join the association and to encourage the employment of UAE national jobseekers in the private sector.