From left: Amr Taiyeb, Waqas Malak, CEO Dr Mohanad Alshaikh and Rowaida Raffa AL Salem Johnson Controls, a pioneer provider of integrated HVAC solutions and equipment, celebrated the graduation of its most recent employees under the "Young Leader Program". The program provides the Saudi youth with on-job training, skills development, and prepares them to become the next generation of leaders in technology, human resources, finance and marketing amongst other fields. Dr. Mohanad Alshaikh, CEO of Al Salem Johnson Controls, emphasized on the importance of enhancing the skills and capabilities of Saudi youth in various fields in order to cater to the needs of the local market. He said: "The Young Leader Program is one of Al Salem Johnson Control's most vital internal initiatives, which was launched end of 2012, and through it, we strive to graduate trainees who will one day lead this company." He added: "Our company constantly recruits top Saudi graduates from local and international universities, as well as technical and vocational institutes. Qualified candidates are selected to enter the 'Young Leader Program‘ based on a predetermined set of criteria, and are then deployed into various departments according to their specialties. The first graduates include a young female leader and three male leaders." Al Salem Johnson Controls recruits the best Saudi graduates from various specialties, whereby candidates are evaluated for entry into the program and are assigned roles within a rotational program. According to their specialized fields and throughout a period of 18 to 24 months, trainees will either be assigned to multiple tasks within a single department, or rotate between multiple departments under the umbrella of a specific task. These tasks are designed to introduce trainees to business fundamentals and provide them with the knowledge needed to accomplish their tasks while ensuring a positive outcome. Trainees can then select to either work on an already existing developmental project or innovate a new idea related to their field which contributes to the development of their task, department or the overall company. Upon their graduation from the program, jobs are assigned to the trainees based on their acquired skills and their overall performance. The program also offers a motivational mentor to each trainee, to assist them in their tasks, and contribute to their career and self-development. Throughout the program, trainees are provided with a number of training sessions in different specialties, via both online training and in-class training.
