Saudi Arabia-based Glowork has signed a partnership deal with French business facilitation company Naseba group to co-host the third annual Talent and Diversity Leadership Forum in Riyadh.

 

The forum, which will be held on December 13 and 14, will be a human resource (HR) platform with focus on key diversity and inclusion challenges currently facing HR professionals in the kingdom, said a statement.

 

As many as 150 HR professionals will come together to discuss the latest strategies, listen to top industry speakers and learn the newest skills needed to tackle these challenges, it said.

 

The topics to be discussed in the forum will directly address the changing landscape of the Saudi Arabian workforce. 

 

With two-thirds of the population under the age of 30, youth employment is a pressing challenge facing the Saudi Arabian government, said the statement.

 

Steps are being taken to ensure the employment of Saudi youth, programmes such as Nitaqat seeks to replace foreign workers with Saudi Arabian nationals. 

 

This programme, launched by the Saudi Arabian government, is part of a larger initiative to promote Saudisation. 

 

A report by the Aleqtesadiah newspaper stated that nationals account for only 22 per cent of the workforce. There are several obstacles that need to be overcome in order for Saudisation to be achieved within the next five years, which will require the collaboration of both the public and private sector.

 

Meanwhile, although employment opportunities available for women in the kingdom have increased, they are still unable to keep up with the growing number of females graduating from universities each year.

 

The Central Department of Statistics and Information found that 13 per cent of Saudi Arabian women hold positions in the private and public sectors. 

 

This year there has been a greater increase in government programmes focused on increasing the amount of jobs available for women in both the private and the public sector, it said.

 

Glowork is a one such organisation focusing on facilitating the employment of Saudi Arabian women in the workforce. 

 

Founded in 2011, the company founders recognised the growing importance of Saudi women in the workforce and created a platform to help in their employment. 

 

Khalid Alkhudair, chief executive officer, Glowork, said: “The forum agenda, in particular the focus on women employment, directly corresponds to the core vision of our organisation. We are therefore pleased to be co-hosting this year’s event with Naseba Group. Hopefully this platform will serve to promote diversity in the workforce and be the start of many future collaborations between our organizations.”

 

Tawafuk is a programme created by the government with support from the Human Resource Development Fund, which serves to promote the employment of people with disabilities in the private sector. 

 

The programme relies on the partnership of the private and government sectors, both of which have made efforts to stay properly educated on the up-to-date benefits and challenges associated with having a diverse workforce. 

 

The forum aims to equip Saudi HR stakeholders with the tools necessary to manage and employ a diverse workforce today, based on the latest global leadership practices and strategies.

 

Sophie Le Ray, Naseba Group CEO, said: “As diversity, gender equality and inclusion in the workplace are currently a global concern, the Forum aims to not only address these key challenges facing Saudi HR professionals but also provide new insights into the leadership strategies needed to overcome them. 

 

"I am also delighted that this Forum raises the global profile of the many commendable diversity and inclusion initiatives in force in the kingdom today.”

 

The forum is part of the ‘Leadership Series’ by Naseba - a platform designed to bring together thought leaders and C-suite executives. - TradeArabia News Service