The first-ever human resource (HR) pilot for Qatari nationals to undertake CIPD certification training to obtain an international professional qualification in HR has been launched by Qatar University Initiative on Lifelong Learning (QUILL).
It was part of the Training Managers’ Forum (TMF) which was established by QU’s Continuing Education Office earlier this year. The pilot, directed by Continuing Education Office director Dr Taj Elsir Kardaman, provides 10 selected Qatari HR employees (five males and five females) at various levels and from organisations as diverse as QU, RasGas, Qatar Museums Authority (QMA), Qatar Financial Center Regulatory Authority (QFCRA), Oryx GTL, and Qtel with a training and development programme that started on November 25-26 and will continue in January, March and May next year.
The participants will be mentored by HR professionals from leading organisations in Qatar such as Vodafone, Schlemburg, and QNB. The mentoring programme is in partnership with QU, Institute of Development & Training (IODT) and Coaching and Mentoring Accelerated Learning (CaMAL).
It covers four areas of human resource disciplines such as developing yourself as an effective practitioner; resourcing, talent planning and recruitment; performance and reward; and supporting change in
organisations.
Programme participants also participate in workshops which are held in between the training activities and which they can attend with or without their mentors. Dr Kardaman said: “We believe that it is important in the process of Qatarisation and in training up Qatari nationals to work efficiently in the national labour market that they have the opportunity to interact with experts who can guide them through the requirements of the world of work within the local business environment. It is commendable that these mentors are contributing their time, experience and know-how voluntarily in support of the pilot. It highlights how important is the push for qualified nationals in the workplace.”
Najat El-Mahdy, HR consultant at QU and drafter of the programme, pointed out that “these young men and women in the programme are being mentored today with the view to shaping and strengthening Qatar’s HR sector. They will act as ambassadors for HR
professionalism in Qatar.”