KPMG has launched a training scheme to accelerate the careers of Emirati nationals within the firm, including the legal department.
The Intilaq (‘take-off’) programme seeks to develop the skills of participants such as communication and writing skills, and prepare them to become future business leaders, with feedback delivered by senior colleagues.
It is available for all Emirati nationals in all departments at KPMG Lower Gulf, including the legal department, a spokesperson for the firm confirmed to Law Middle East, though details beyond this, including how many legal professionals will take part, are unclear.
The programme is run in partnership with HULT Business School, with KPMG’s in-house resources supplementing the training. There are interactive sessions and some parts have been “gamified”, encouraging participants to complete “missions” to unlock and move on to the next level, according to a statement.
KPMG Lower Gulf chief executive officer and senior partner, Emilio Pera, said: “At KPMG, we learn for a lifetime, and through this programme, we set our Emirati colleagues on an accelerated path, helping them advance their careers in a competitive job market.”
He went on to explain that a significant proportion of individuals who were surveyed for the firm’s ‘Future of work’ report, published in December 2023, believed ongoing skills development to be crucial for them to stay relevant in their field, and investment in such influencing whether they join, leave, or stay with an organisation.
KPMG Lower Gulf partner and head of emiratisation, Mohammad Zamanic, said the programme “represents a springboard for the careers of our Emirati cohorts, setting them on an exciting trajectory”.
“We continue to grow our Emirati cohorts in all areas of KPMG Lower Gulf, with our overall number now at 13%,” he added.
The UAE government has set targets to improve the number of Emiratis in the private sector. At present, they only make up about 10% of the population in the UAE, with many of them working in government roles.
In the legal sector, Eversheds Sutherland has developed a programme to train the next generation of Emirati leaders in law. The Emirati Initiatives programme began around three years ago with upwards of 55 Emirati lawyers and students benefiting in the years since.
