Young Arab Leaders (YAL), the pan-Arab platform for providing Arab youth with employment opportunities via quality education, training and entrepreneurship, and HSBC Bank Middle East, one of the leading international banks in the region, have today signed a 3-year partnership agreement for the creation of a joint Pan Arab Youth Training & Employability Program in order to prepare young Arab men and women to enter & compete in the labour Market.
The agreement that was signed in Dubai today will provide young Arabs with a unique learning experience at HSBC Bank Middle East in any of the countries in which HSBC Bank Middle East operates in the Arab world
YAL will select beneficiaries from among deserving and eligible Arab students and fresh graduates in the Arab World, launching campaigns in selected Arab universities to raise awareness of the HSBC training opportunities and to request applications that will be reviewed in accordance with YAL’s selection criteria.
“This is a mega training and potential employability program that YAL will implement in partnership with HSBC Bank Middle East, one of the most successful financial institutions in the world, renowned globally for its world-class services and management. The trainings vary from internship opportunities to International Management trainings, as well as online and class room courses that will be of utmost benefit to Arab students and fresh graduates, as it will introduce them to various sectors of banking and finance industries. It will equip them with knowledge and refined skills that will give them an edge as job-seekers, employees or entrepreneurs”, said Assem O. Kabesh, Chief Executive Officer, YAL.
“This agreement gives momentum to our mission that seeks to empower Arab youth with modern knowledge and skills that will qualify them to play a positive role in the social and economic development of their countries. We will continue building strong relations and communications with the business community for mutually-beneficial programs and initiatives”, added Mr. Kabesh.
One of the tangible measurable results of the program is that it will encourage dialogue between Arab students and HSBC managers at an early stage and prior to graduation, as well as building relationships between future managers from the Arab region and experienced professionals. It will also create opportunities to exchange knowledge in areas of entrepreneurship and education. Some interns and trainees may as well secure permanent positions at the Bank.
Participants will not be aligned to a specific business line, as the program seeks to provide them with broad international exposure across all customer groups – personal financial services, commercial banking, global banking and markets, and private banking. They will be divided among the two components of the program, namely; internships within HSBC Bank Middle East offices and the International Management Program (IMP). The program may be further extended to include the development of online training to promote digital financial expertise; the promotion of knowledge and expertise in the area of banking and finance; and the development of finance and banking training courses and modules
Commenting on the partnership signing, Abdulfattah Sharaf, CEO, Personal Financial Services MENA, HSBC Bank Middle East Limited said: ”HSBC has a long tradition of supporting and reaching out to the communities in which it operates, and our partnership with YAL provides a sound platform for us to serve our community in the Arab World. HSBC and YAL share common values and enthusiasm to support and develop young people, who will be our future business and community leaders. We have set a comprehensive program that will foster the knowledge and capabilities of the participants, helping them to develop the skills that will enable them compete in the job market or launch their own enterprises”.
Since inception in 2004, YAL has worked with the business community to implement tailor-made programs and bespoke initiatives to enable young Arab achievers become true leaders, entrepreneurs and triggers of positive change. Thanks to these programs and initiatives, beneficiaries, male and female, have been exposed to international expertise and experiences to help them acquire global leadership and entrepreneurial thinking and practice and qualify them to hold senior positions in local and international companies in their countries.
YAL programs are based on regional needs identified through research of Arab youth current challenges and fact-based analysis. They are championed by YAL members and evaluated on a continuous basis to assess impact and efficiency.
HSBC Bank Middle East Limited
HSBC is the largest and most widely represented international bank in the Middle East. HSBC Bank Middle East Limited has 45 branches throughout the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon, Pakistan and the Palestinian Autonomous Area. In addition to the branch network the Bank maintains representative offices in Tehran, Iran and Tripoli, Libya. This extensive regional coverage is strengthened by another member of the HSBC Group, HSBC Bank Egypt SAE; and by its associated companies; The Saudi British Bank; British Arab Commercial Bank Limited; HSBC Saudi Arabia Limited; SABB Securities Limited; SABB Takaful Co.; and Dar Es Saalam Investment Bank.
About Young Arab Leaders (YAL):
The Young Arab Leaders is a network of Arab men and women who have seen the power of action in their own lives, reached unprecedented levels of success for their age, are positive and can see beyond today’s difficulties to that vision of a prosperous Arab future. These leaders are currently in prominent positions of responsibility and strive for extraordinary achievement. They believe that their efforts today can have an impact on their communities, countries and the region as a whole. For more information, please visit: www.yaleaders.org
