(13 May 2014)
As part of its continued investment in Emiratisation and the development of its UAE national staff, FGB, one of the leading banks in the UAE, recently launched a fast track career development programme, known as Al Masar, for its UAE national employees. Al Masar is a customised programme for existing staff members, launched to identify internal high potential talent and equip them with a fast track learning journey that will accelerate their career path. The programme will strengthen the bank’s pipeline of talented Emirati professionals by developing their skills and establishing effective succession planning within the bank.
Al Masar, (which means ‘the path’ in Arabic), is available to Emirati employees who are selected for the scheme based on the results of various assessments conducted through the bank’s Qudurati programme, a career progression initiative launched for talent identification by FGB last year.
The 12 month programme will support talented employees from within the business in preparing themselves for the next step in their careers through customised career guidance as well as development opportunities tailored to each participant’s individual strengths. The scheme features intensive learning programmes, departmental rotations, professional certifications as well as coaching sessions.
Abdulrahman Saqr, Senior Vice President of HR and Head of Emiratisation at FGB, said: “FGB is proud to play an important role in attracting talented UAE nationals to the banking and financial sectors and in helping them to achieve their aspirations. We made important achievements last year in raising Emiratisation rates and we will continue to do so in the coming period through developing strategic schemes. We aim to not only retain top talents but to also work on further developing their skills and knowledge, and this follows the principles set by our recently launched new brand, where we encourage all our employees and programme participants to ‘Be First’.”
Noora Al Reyasi, Vice President and Head of the UAE National Development at FGB, added: “The Al Masar programme will enable us to provide support and career guidance to our high potential Emirati employees, giving individuals who have already shown that they have the talent, drive and potential to take on key positions within the business and the opportunity to step up and progress their career at the bank. We’re very pleased to have added this new initiative to our range of training and development programmes and we’re looking forward to further developing our Emirati employees and equipping them with the skills they need to grow.”
FGB has launched a wide range of programmes specifically designed to enhance the professional skills of Emiratis and prepare them for roles within the banking industry. These include the 18-month Nujoom Management scheme, currently in its third phase, which has been developed to train and qualify fresh graduates to take on managerial positions through real-life work scenarios, guidance and mentoring. FGB also offers its Al Manara and Qudurati schemes, which aid in the ongoing development of the bank’s Emirati employees.
FGB also recently participated in the Al Ain Education & Career Fair, Dubai’s Careers UAE 2014, along with Sharjah’s National Career Exhibition and Abu Dhabi’s Tawdheef recruitment fair earlier this year. Additionally, the bank boasts its FGB Business School, which was launched to enhance the financial and banking skills of its employees and drive its Emiratisation initiatives forward.