Date/Time
Date(s) - 20 July 2009
12:00 am
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EQUATE Petrochemical Company’s Vice president for Technical Affairs Mahmoud Al-Qattan said based on the success of many private sector employees during the past few years, this sector has attracted many fresh graduates aspiring to work in challenging environments.
Commenting on EQUATE’s sponsorship of the 6th Career Fair (Careers 2009) under the strategic partnership of the Manpower & Government Restructuring Program (MGRP) and organized by Vision for Consultations during October 25-28 at the Sheraton Hotel, Al-Qattan said EQUATE’s sponsorship of such events stems from firm belief in the necessity of directing qualified national manpower to work in the private sector which witnessed astonishing success in several fields.
Al-Qattan emphasized EQUATE’s unwavering faith in the abilities of Kuwaiti professionals as the cornerstone of sustainability, leading the company to devote much attention to recruiting Kuwaitis who have obtained university degrees, as well as diplomas and high-school education.
“Career fairs play an instrumental role in encouraging aspiring Kuwaiti individuals to pursue distinguished careers in the private sector, not to mention the attention devoted by Kuwait’s official bodies to such causes,” noted Al-Qattan.
Al-Qattan explained that in 2005, EQUATE established its award-winning EQUATE Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Program to showcase the company as Kuwait’s most preferred employer to attract national manpower with benefits considered unique in any sector within and outside Kuwait, noting that these benefits are periodically benchmarked and reviewed.
While noting that qualified petrochemical professionals are considered few in Kuwait, Al-Qattan added that EQUATE allocates a great amount of resources to leveraging knowledge to new employees through interaction with senior personnel, applying Six Sigma principles and training courses within and outside Kuwait.
Al-Qattan noted that 100% of EQUATE’s middle management are Kuwaitis with ages averaging 34-40 years, this plays a critical role in motivating individuals to enter the private sector, especially as EQUATE has recruited 166 Kuwaiti high-school graduates to work in the new plants producing 5 millions tons annually of petrochemicals.
During previous years, said Al-Qattan, EQUATE has hired many Kuwaitis who currently comprise over 56% of its total manpower which has led to winning the Award of Best Gulf Company in Recruiting Nationals, noting that such efforts are driven by EQUATE’s strategies to share success with the community as a whole in light of EQUATE CSR Program.
Regarding EQUATE, Al-Qattan said it is considered one of the world’s leading companies in producing Polyethylene and Ethylene Glycol and it is presently a joint venture between Petrochemical Industries Company (PIC), The Dow Chemical Company, Boubyan Petrochemicals Company and Qurain Petrochemical Industries Company.
Al-Qattan added “In appreciation for its sustainable development efforts, EQUATE has earned His Highness the Amir Award for the Best Plant in Kuwait; Gold Award in Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) for Gulf private sector companies; the Award of Best Gulf Company in Recruiting Nationals; as well as Kuwait’s CSR Award in the Industrial and Oil Sector. In addition, EQUATE has received the Highly Commended Best Community Program Award during the First Middle East CSR Award Summit held in Dubai.”