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| The QF pavilion at Qatar Career Fair that concluded on Thursday at QNCC. (Inset) Officials at the QPM pavilion |
The 5-day event featured pavilions and stalls of more than 150 national, international, regional and local firms operating in the State of Qatar.
A statement issued at the end of the fair by the Qatar Foundation said its pavilion attracted a considerably large number of visitors all through the fair.
A number of visitors took advantage of the resources available at the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF) stand to boost their chances of finding a job at the career fair, it said.
A steady stream of applicants expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to meet a career counsellor who could help them understand their vocational interests.
“I just spoke to the career counsellor and realised that I have a strong interest in opening my own business someday and becoming an entrepreneur. I currently work as a media researcher, but the counselling session that I had helped me plan ahead and understand that I can still do my job while seeking further opportunities to grow,” said 30-year-old Ohoud who has a bachelor’s degree in media studies from Qatar University.
Job seekers also received information about how to answer tough interview questions, plan their career, write a CV and learn about the many educational and professional programmes at the QF.
“We are very pleased with the high level of interest and proactive approach shown by Qatari youth at this year’s Qatar Career Fair. They have shown a genuine desire for self-improvement and that is something that we always encourage,” said Ghanim Al Naimi, director of Talent Sourcing and Development at QF.
QPM, one of the region’s premier project management companies and the first Qatari firm in the field, said the event gave Qatari students and new graduates a chance to learn about employment and training opportunities available to them in a wide range of industries.
QPM was one of the numerous participants at the event. Visitors to the QPM stall were given an overview of the firm’s latest projects and current opportunities.
QPM’s chief administrative officer Dr Rashid al-Kubaisi said: “Our vision is to become a leading provider of fee-based project management and construction management services, with a skilled capability for integrated solutions”.
“There is a misconception that project management – our core business – is just about engineering but that’s not the case. Other than technical and engineering disciplines, we offer opportunities in areas such as programme management, health and safety, information technology, marketing and communications, and human resource management,” al-Kubaisi added.
Commercialbank was involved with the event as its diamond sponsor. The bank said it received more than 700 job applications for different positions at its pavilion.
“The theme of this year’s career fair is to write the next chapter in Qatar’s success,” said Commercialbank CEO Andy Stevens.
“At Commercialbank, we believe everything is possible and this encompasses our commitment to develop the leaders of tomorrow by creating opportunities for young Qataris today by nurturing their talent and advancing their career ambitions.
“Since its inception, Commercialbank has developed a reputation for innovation, quality and ambition by creating aspirations amongst young Qataris to consider long term careers in financial services. We offer market leading training and development programmes and employment opportunities that support the continued development of a highly skilled national workforce.”
Commercialbank deputy CEO Abdulla al-Raisi said: “The bank is extremely proud to participate in this prestigious event. The Qatar Career Fair is one of the most important recruitment platforms in the country offering unique opportunities to Qatari youth, to help them develop their professional careers. We want to prepare the next generation of Qataris to take on leadership roles in banking and discover job fulfilment in a demanding business sector which comes with high rewards.”
QNB said that it has also received a lot of job applications at the fair. Officials from QNB’s Human Capital Department provided guidance to applicants and responded to inquiries.
QNB also had great success in achieving one of its primary objectives during QCF 2012 which is to continue providing growth and development opportunities to the national workforce.
Having accepted preliminary applications at the Career Fair, QNB’s human capital department is now preparing to shortlist candidate applications for the second phase of the recruitment process which involves personal interviews and career aptitude tests, in addition to general skills assessments. Potential candidates will then be offered jobs.
The Qatarisation ratio at QNB is the highest in the banking sector and currently exceeds 50%, with 31% of its executive management, 50% of its top management and 35% of its administration being Qatari employees.