The Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA) is organising the 13th Annual GPCA Forum, later this month, with aim of taking a lead role in the development of local talent in the Gulf region in collaboration with its members.

The forum is being held from November 26 to 28, at the Madinat Jumeirah, in Dubai, UAE.

Along with the forum, GPCA will also host the 9th edition of Leaders of Tomorrow, an initiative that provides university students engaged in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (Stem) an opportunity to learn about the industry and encourage them to start a career in chemistry and other allied industries, said a statement.

The programme places strong emphasis on the chemical sector and the impact it has as a leading source of direct and indirect employment in the GCC region, consequently, empowering future talent.

Now in its third year, it has hosted 413 participants from 50 universities across the six GCC states sponsored by 23 GPCA member companies to date.

Dr Abdulwahab Sadoun, general secretary, GPCA, said: “This initiative guarantees participants exposure at the starting point of their careers. The opportunity to hear from industry experts about the successes and lessons learned of established companies in their various disciplines and experience first-hand the vibrant nature of our business is one that cannot be missed.”

“Not only will these young leaders be able to fine tune their skill sets, familiarize themselves with the latest trends and hone their networking skills, but will serve as a much-needed deep pool of talent to feed the industry’s needs,” he added.

According to a recent GPCA report, university graduates in the GCC grew by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9 per cent per annum from 2007-2017, reaching 302,000.

The number of science graduates including chemistry graduates reached more than 20,000, which accounts for 7 per cent of all university graduates.

The events will tackle strategic issues and trends ranging from future core capabilities to sustainability, digitalisation, cyber security, emerging markets and the seamless move to a circular economy, it stated. – TradeArabia News Service