Serco Middle East, the international public services company has announced the launch of its inaugural Graduate Program as part of its vision to support aspiring regional talent as it seeks to create a globally competitive, future ready workforce. Opening for applications on June 15, the Graduate Program is aimed at candidates who have recently graduated from University and will see them join the international company from September 2020. The company, which prides itself on its ‘people first culture', is looking for candidates with a passion for supporting regional governments and a commitment to making a difference to the lives of citizens in the region. Serco, which supports governments and corporates in the areas of citizen services, transport, healthcare, justice, defense and immigration in the region, already counts over 4,500 people in its workforce across the Middle East. The Graduate Program is testament to its commitment to support local talent as they take their first steps onto the career ladder. The Graduate Program will include an intensive training course, designed to equip the new recruits with all of the skills needed to thrive and excel at Serco. During the Program, headed up by the company's Human Resources Director, Hana Kharmeh, the talent will rotate through a series of three placements in the UAE and KSA and will include hands-on learning and training on Serco's key governmental and front line services contracts. At the end of the program, graduates will transition into a permanent managerial role. Successful graduates will be supported by their own placement manager, who will be responsible for guiding their performance, helping them build critical relationships, facilitating opportunities to apply both learning and insights and nurturing their growth and development. In addition, graduates will have the support of their own Serco Graduate Coach (Talent Lead), whose role will be to ensure their wellbeing and achievements as they are embedded within the culture of the business. Commenting on the launch of the Graduate Program, Kharmeh said: "There is so much young talent in the region and we are proud to support aspiring graduates as they embark on their careers. We are looking to on-board the brightest talent as part of our program, which will see the successful graduates given thorough training, support and guidance so that they are equipped with the right skills for them to thrive in their careers in a forward-thinking international business with a heritage in the region." Phil Malem, CEO of Serco Middle East, commented: "Now more than ever, it is our duty to be investing in future leaders, and we are very much looking forward to supporting the region's graduates as they journey into the world of work. We are a people focused business first and foremost, and we're proud to have the opportunity to support the promising talent in the industry and to work towards achieving our nationalization goals, which is a priority for Serco." Serco Middle East has a strong track record in driving the employment and development of National talent. Earlier this year, Serco's efforts in the UAE specifically were recognized in the second cycle of the prestigious Emiratization Awards for the Private Sector in Collaboration with MOHRE, which was attended by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and ruler of Dubai. The application process is open from June 15 to all recent graduates who are keen to join the international company and further their careers. — SG
