ASGC looks to close construction industry’s skills gap
UAE-based construction group expands training programs to prepare for jobs of the future
ASGC, a leading construction group based in the UAE, has said that is expanding a number of its internal training and development initiatives as it looks to keep its growing workforce on the ‘cutting edge of technological and engineering advancements’.
In a statement, the construction giant said that with sentiment around the future of the UAE’s construction industry improving year-on-year, and the Gulf’s construction markets determined to grow in 2018, the industry is rapidly evolving.
“The Fourth Industrial Revolution and digital automation are already influencing the skills and types of jobs required of today’s workforce,” it said, adding that this evolution has created a skills gap in the way that technical professionals across the region approach project planning, execution and supervision within the construction industry.
As such, ASGC has said that it intends to build on global best practices and place additional investments into a number of programs for continuous learning and development.
One of these programs is the ASGC Employee Academy which was first launched in 2017 with the aim of providing young, talented construction professionals across each of the company’s departments with the education and skills needed to help them progress in their careers.
“Selected individuals participating in the academy program adopt their own ‘passion projects’ which include the development of ideas, innovations and technologies that enhance ASGC’s operations, processes and procedures—steering the organization towards boosting efficiency and growth,” the company explained in its statement.
In addition, the company has also recently launched an ASGC Labour Academy, which is an independent facility owned by ASGC and is fully equipped for all kind of trade and HSE training. The academy is now operational and is currently upskilling more than 200 workers per month, covering various trades. At full capacity the facility can train 400 workers per month, and the company says it intends to reach that target by the end of 2018.
“The facility also hosts various HSE trainings in line with the projects requirements. The aim of the Labour Academy is to provide development programs that improve the capabilities and skills of ASGC’s workforce while at the same time opening doors to career progression,” the company added.
In the area of academia, ASGC has also bolstered its Post-Graduate Education program, which have been running for several years. Under this program, ASGC covers the cost of the post-graduate degree tuition fees – whether it is in engineering, finance, HR or another related field, said Bishoy Azmy CEO of ASGC.
“As the UAE transitions towards a knowledge-based economy, the construction field is also evolving so that projects can be done smarter and more efficiently than ever before.
“Across the industry this means a shift in skill sets required. It is our responsibility to ensure that the workforce of the future not only has the necessary skills for employment, but the ability to make a meaningful contribution to the wider community,” Azmy explained.
