INJAZ Al-Arab Hosts Career Forum to Prepare Arab Youth for Future Jobs

Dubai, [INSERT DATE] March 2021: INJAZ Al-Arab, a member of Junior Achievement (JA) Worldwide, the world’s largest non-profit business education organization, is hosting its first ever career forum virtually from 30 – 31 March 2021. Known as JAHEZ Forum 2021, the career forum aims to boost the employability skills of Arab youth and raise awareness of emerging and forward-looking roles within the job market. The JAHEZ Forum 2021 will include discussions with leading entities such as LinkedIn, Microsoft, Nestlé Middle East and North Africa, Schneider Electric, and The Coca-Cola Company.

In partnership with the Skoll Foundation, Microsoft and Nestlé Middle East and North Africa, JAHEZ Forum 2021 will take place over a two-day period and include a series of thought-provoking sessions with key industry leaders. Discussions will inform youth on emerging opportunities across a variety of different industries including hospitality, communications, digital marketing, F&B, logistics, and more. The sessions will be tailored to explore the requirements youth need to progress and what they can do to boost their employment chances in each spotlighted industry.

To kick-start the first day of JAHEZ Forum 2021, a one-to-one interview with Rajai El Khadem, Head of Public Sector at LinkedIn MENA, will pave the way for extended conversations throughout the event. This will be followed by special interviews on the employment opportunities and market challenges faced before and after COVID-19, with insights from Microsoft and Schneider Electric. A series of employability skill enhancement sessions will also take place where MBC Group will discuss the power of communications, Microsoft will highlight fundamental tools for employment and Marriott will talk through how to build a successful career in the hospitality industry.

The second day will begin with sessions from leading experts at UPS and The Coca-Cola Company, exploring the potential roles for Arab youth in the logistics and F&B industry, followed by other sessions; one with LinkedIn on how to enhance your professional digital presence, and another with Nestlé Middle East and North Africa focusing on talent acquisition and skills needed in the marketplace. To conclude the career forum, Altijari Wafi Bank will discuss in depth the choices that are available for Arab youth in the industrial, commercial and finance industries.

Commenting on INJAZ Al-Arab’s inaugural career forum, CEO of INJAZ Al-Arab, Akef Alaqrabawi, said: “The current job market has experienced rapid movement in a very short space of time, and we are seeing the emergence of many new job roles. At INJAZ Al-Arab, it is our duty to ensure that the youth in the MENA region are aware of these changes and are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate the job market with ease. We are thankful to all of our partners who are taking part in JAHEZ Forum 2021 to share their valued knowledge and expertise. Through meaningful collaborations such as these, we can pave the way for students towards a better future.”

Rajai El Khadem, Head of Public Sector at LinkedIn MENA, said: “As the world’s biggest professional network, LinkedIn is uniquely positioned to help young people connect to opportunity and learn their best way forward. Our data on jobs and skills allows us to draw a comprehensive picture of the regional economy, including where opportunities lie and what challenges need to be tackled. We are happy to partner with a forward-thinking organization such as INJAZ Al Arab to help prepare our youth in the MENA region for the future”.

“We remain committed to supporting the career development of youth in our region, offering various opportunities for learning as well as creating at least 1,000 new jobs for young people and youth in MENA region by 2025. We are also happy to collaborate with entities sharing the same objectives, to further support in upskilling youth, and enhancing the understanding of the present and future of work”, said David Moloto, Nestlé Human Resources Director in the MENA region.

Ghada Khalifa, Regional Director Microsoft Philanthropies in the Middle East and Africa shared her thoughts, on the need to ensure everyone has the skills, knowledge, and opportunity to succeed in the digital economy. She said that “the world is changing in the digital age, and so are career opportunities. Many young people today will end up working in jobs that don’t even exist yet. Microsoft is helping equip these diverse audience youth with the skills, confidence and technology tools to embrace this shift, and build rewarding careers within the digital economy.

INJAZ Al-Arab is the largest non-profit organization dedicated to overcoming unemployment in the region and aims to inspire a culture of entrepreneurship and business innovation among Arab youth. Since its inception, INJAZ Al-Arab has helped 3.7 million students with education and skill enhancement through different programs initiatives.