Grow local talents, Fakeih tells firms

Labor Minister Adel Fakeih urged private sector companies and public sector institutions to focus on developing talents of local human resources. Representing Fakeih, Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC) Gov. Ali Al-Ghafis delivered the keynote address at the Third Edition of the Conference and Exhibition for Human Resources Development for Middle East and North Africa, at the King Faisal Conference Hall in Riyadh, on Sunday. “The scientific and cognitive progress in the world has made it imperative for companies and institutions to pay attention to the human element and its development,” Fakeih said. He pointed out that under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, the Kingdom is on the right direction to develop the human resources in a scientific manner to cater to the local demand. The labor minister, who is also the head of the Human Resources Development Fund, HRDF, is cooperating with global bodies such as the Association for Talent Development (ATD) to hone the skills of the local men and women to fit into various vocations in the Kingdom’s private and public sectors. The Association for Talent Development (ATD), formerly ASTD, is the world’s largest association dedicated to those who develop talent in organizations. These professionals help others achieve their full potential by improving their knowledge, skills, and abilities. ATD’s members come from more than 120 countries and work in public and private organizations in every industry sector. It supports the work of professionals locally in more than 125 chapters, international strategic partners, and global member networks. Fakeih Hoped that the best practices and solutions available in the development of human resources would be discussed and developed in the Kingdom for the prosperity of the nation. The three-day event held under the patronage of the Labor Minister Fakeih, was organized by the HRDF, ATD and with several other local and international bodies. On behalf of the labor minister, Al-Ghafis also opened an exhibition which will run concurrently with the conference proceedings. Ibrahim Al-Moaiqil, Director General of Human Resources Development Fund said that the organization place top priority for the development of human capital which is the greatest asset of the nation. He pointed out that around 40 percent of the jobs available in the Kingdom needs vocational education which is given by the government through various TVTC programs. The sessions of the conference will focus on measuring an organization’s success and growth through learning as a business strategy. Topics to be addressed included the impact of learning, evaluating learning programs, and measuring the impact of change. In a world of increasing informal and social learning, delegates would analyze new technologies contribute to a learning focused organization. The participants will also concentrate on learning techniques for trainers with a specific focus on basic and mid-level practical training skills, facilitation skills, competencies of a trainer, design and delivery methods, needs assessment and related core skills. The other topics during the scientific sessions will also focus on managing the employees life cycle, optimizing human capital to drive both short- and long-term results, best practices in talent management and leadership development used to build culture, engagement, capability, and capacity through integrated talent acquisition, development, and retention. -arabnews