JEDDAH, 28 July 2005 — SNAS-DHL announced it had upgraded its career development program to become the flagship initiative of its expanding Saudization strategy. The program is being run out of the company’s headquarters in Alkhobar by a top-level team and will identify, recruit train and fast-track Saudi talent.
“We work closely with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Universities and the Labor Office to recruit and train Saudi nationals,” said Mohammed Al-Jamea, human resources manager.
“We recognize that as the leading and longest serving logistics and express company in the Kingdom we have a responsibility to develop local talent. We take this responsibility very seriously indeed. We have 270 Saudi nationals on our workforce representing 41% of our total staff and we are proud of this. Nevertheless, we are looking to increase this number to 45% Saudi nationals by the end of this year,” he said.
The management wants SNAS-DHL to be considered the first choice employer for the very best Saudi talent in the Kingdom. “This program will ensure that when they are considering their options they know that in coming to us they are not only joining the acknowledged leader in its sector but also a company that will offer them a structured career path and opportunities to progress with no glass ceiling to halt their climb,” said Al-Jamea.
The team will coordinate recruitment to boost the numbers of Saudi nationals in the company and open up opportunities for them at all levels. The program goes much further than most in creating defined career paths, with the lead team ensuring the recruits are constantly supervised, trained and their progress monitored to allow rapid progress to senior positions.
“We are determined that through this program we will prepare and train the next generation of SNAS-DHL,” said Al-Jamea. SNAS-DHL has established links with local universities to organize specific career days for it to showcase the opportunities available in the company.
New recruits receive a three-month internal orientation course to ensure they get to know the organization and its policies and procedures before taking up their duties. Jamal Abukhail, a management trainee who joined in 1996 and has now become Operations Manager for the Eastern Province, said: that SNAS-DHL management training had a huge influence on his life and career prospects. “SNAS-DHL has been like a family to me and taken care of me as if I was their child. This company gives you opportunities and allows you to learn and grow,” he added.