Enhancing prospects

Every year, thousands of job seekers from diverse nationalities enter the UAE's dynamic job market. They all come here in search of the ultimate dream - to get a lucrative job, tax-free benefits and the good lifestyle that has become synonymous with this country.

However, the factor that offers a winning advantage in this ultra-competitive job market is the specialised training or qualifications that a professional possesses relevant to the job profile.

To mark the importance of the training sector in such conditions, Getex 2006 has devoted an entire segment to the field. The corporate training and human resource development segment will feature exhibitors from all over the world, and highlight emerging trends and methodologies in training for professionals and personnel in corporate organisations.

Anselm Godinho, Managing Director, International Conferences and Exhibitions, which organises Getex, says, "In the UAE's extremely competitive job market, niche qualifications merit world-class remuneration packages. This has led to a huge demand for MBA and other postgraduate courses from individuals seeking to better their career prospects. Human Resource Departments of business organisations are also allocating bigger budgets for customised training programmes for their personnel. This has made the UAE a significant market for international business schools and specialist training organisations promoting their MBA and postgraduate programmes among corporate clients."

Corporate training

Amir Pishyar, Centre Director, Dubai Informatics Computer Centre (DICC), which offers courses in professional development, IT, business studies, language courses and higher education programmes, says, "Education and training are important factors that contribute to the progress of a country.

"In the past two years, we have witnessed a substantial increase in the corporate training segment and I believe the segment is still growing. This is largely due to the increase in the level of competition and a demanding clientele. Individuals are also opting to take training courses because it offers them career-enhancing prospects in addition to honing their skills."

While MBAs and specialised IT training are becoming more popular, Pishyar emphasises that training in the banking and financial sector is in great demand. The reason for this is that the financial sector in the UAE is keeping pace with the dynamic economy.

According to Pauline Olson, Head of the Dubai International Financial Exchange (DIFX) Academy, which offers courses that are specialised and highly focused on the financial services sector, "The UAE has moved from being an oil-based economy to the leisure and business hub of the region. The financial services sector, in particular, has been witnessing massive growth. To provide an impetus to this growth, it is essential that finance professionals here are trained on similar standards, as they are in the world's leading international financial centres."

Need of the hour

Commenting on the need for trained professionals in the financial sector, Olson says, "The demand for courses and training programmes is high, especially with the setting up of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and the Dubai International Financial Exchange. The demand for qualified financial professionals has gone up in areas such as asset management, trading and Islamic finance, among others. As more financial institutions come into the DIFC, it will become imperative that prospective employees have proper training and qualifications."

This is also why government bodies, corporate companies and other establishments are investing resources in advanced education technologies and training.

According to the organisers of Getex, the Middle East is registering increasing investments in technology as governments and education providers seek to establish competitive, high-tech, modern institutions particularly in the area of higher education and corporate training. In fact, even recruitment companies such as Bayt are offering job seekers specialised training through one-day seminars to boost their chances of landing a job.

This augurs well for companies involved in the training sector. In fact, international and regional companies are offering competitive options to individuals and corporations all over the UAE.

Worlddidac, a Switzerland-based non-profit, global trade association that represents about 300 companies from 48 countries, which provide products, services and solutions for education and training at all levels, is exhibiting at Getex for the first time. Its presence is indicative of the fact that its member companies see huge potential in this market.

Increasing numbers of companies are offering high-end courses in this region. This means that professionals can now easily avail of training programmes that are comparable to international standards.

This will not just boost the profiles of potential employees but also elevate the standards of the company that hires them.