Global industry leaders to tackle Middle East jobs challenge at 2nd GPCA Human Capital Convention in Dubai

Dr. Amer Al Rawas, Chief Executive of Oman Telecommunications Company, will deliver the event's keynote address.

Experts from Borouge, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, Royal Dutch Shell, and SAP, will also present to more than 300 HR professionals from the regional and global petrochemicals industry on the convention's central theme, 'Leading change through operational excellence.'

"We are delighted to have such a prestigious lineup of industry speakers," said Dr. Abdulwahab Al-Sadoun, Secretary General of the GPCA.

"Much is expected from the fast-growing petrochemicals sector in terms of the jobs and training the region's young population needs. Implementing the best practices discussed at our second convention in Dubai will help our industry deliver on these expectations."

Global Employment Trends for Youth 2012, research published by the International Labour Organisation in May, estimates that Middle East youth unemployment is more than twice the global average, 26.5% compared with 12.6%.

A further International Monetary Fund study found that of 7 million Gulf jobs created in the last decadeonly 2 million have gone to Gulf citizens, indicating a worrying skills gap in the local market.

"Improving the skills of the labor force is a strategic priority for GCC states and needs cooperation between governments and industry, including regional chemicals producers who are investing heavily in higher education and vocational training," said Dr. Al Sadoun.

"Effective talent management, and securing a reliable pipeline of qualified personnel, iskey to long-term sustainable growth. In that regard, the Second Human Capital Convention will examine effective strategies for tapping the significant potential of the Gulf workforce."

Dr. Al Sadoun added that further diversification of the GCC petrochemicals sector is needed to absorb the growing number of jobseekers in the region.

"Downstream industries can create upwards of five times as many jobs as commodity-focused petrochemicals production, which accounts for the majority of the petrochemicals sector in the Gulf. The growing need across the GCC for more labor-intensive downstream industries producing finished products will be a major topic of discussion at the convention."

Confirmed speakers at the Second GPCA Human Capital Convention include WimRoels, Chief Executive officer of Borouge; SaskiaNiessen, HR Director of Lyondell Bassel; Salma Hajjaj, Leadership Development Manager at Kuwait Petroleum Corporation; Dr. Jamal Al Ammari, Head of Qatarisation and HR Account Manager, Royal Dutch Shell; Hala Al Turki, Partner, Altaaat Leadership Development Institute; Maha Khatib, Partner of Learnactive; Ken Delve, Director, Middle East PetroSkills; and SohiybSakaji, HCM Principal, MENA, SAP.