“Khutwa” Programme To Become An Annual Drive To Increase Emiratis In The Workplace

Dubai, UAE: As part of the national initiative to make 2013 the Year of Emiratisation, Majid Al Futtaim Ventures welcomes ten new Emirati employees into the company. The newly recruited team are the first to join the “Khutwa” initiative, which the company has set up to align with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s wider drive to employ more Emiratis across the UAE. The initiative also adds to the considerable commitment made by the Company to improving and enhancing the wider community in the UAE.

“Khutwa”, meaning “Step” is in reference to the saying that “A journey of a thousand miles starts with a step.” The initiative is the first step of this annual recruitment programme, bringing more Emiratis into the company each year, offering them support and training in their chosen field of work.

The ten employees started their new jobs yesterday with a welcome breakfast hosted by Fareda Abdullah, Vice President of Human Capital & Corporate Communication, at the Majid Al Futtaim Ventures headquarters. The new employees were later introduced to the Company’s CEO, Ahmed Galal Ismail, before embarking on an orientation session of their new workplace.

“This group of new employees are the first of many that we look to welcome each year through the “Khutwa” programme,” said Ahmed Galal Ismail, CEO, Majid Al Futtaim Ventures. “We fully support the national Emiratisation drive, and look forward to working with this team, and the many that will join Majid Al Futtaim Ventures in the future.”

“Diversity and inclusion are essential to Majid Al Futtaim Ventures’ culture, as our core values are built on a commitment to Care Always and Push Further,” added Mr Ismail. “These values drive the way we do business, including how we interact with each other, our customers, and competitors, and they are the key to our success. Initiatives such as “Khutwa” further strengthen these values and ensure our Company remains at the forefront of providing optimum employment opportunities and career advancement.”

“We have chosen this team of individuals on their personal merits, and they are taking on a variety of roles within our various business units,” said Fareda Abdullah. “Following their orientation week, they will embark on a developmental programme lasting over two months, to educate and train them in essential corporate skills such as communication, time management, business acumen and working in a diverse culture.”

“Through this initiative, and the many others that Majid Al Futtaim Ventures undertakes each year, we can continue to improve the lives of our employees, their families and of the wider community in the UAE as we learn to work together, across different cultures and backgrounds,” added Ms Abdullah.

Once the ten employees complete their developmental programme, they will go on to take up their permanent roles within various business units within the Company, including VOX Cinemas, Majid Al Futtaim Healthcare, Majid Al Futtaim Fashion and Majid Al Futtaim Finance.

The “Khutwa” initiative is one of many community-focused programmes supported by Majid Al Futtaim Ventures. Earlier this year a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed with the Ministry of Social Affairs that aims to identify and provide training, employment opportunities and career development for people with disabilities or special needs within the UAE. In addition, this year has seen the Company’s continued commitment to the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children, by helping to organise and support their Children’s Carnival. Majid Al Futtaim Ventures also pledged on-going commitment to the Elderly Nursing Home, Ajman, by providing funds for a new “brain exercise room” and outdoor “Jalsa” area for socialising.