Conference Proceeding: Introducing the #iBringGCC Campaign
Keywords:
positive psychology, character strengths, education, workplace, labour market, UAEAbstract
Abstract: There is a need to address youth employment in the Middle East/North Africa (MENA) region; yet, a mismatch remains between stakeholders. Educational institutions consider themselves to be adequately training students for the future job market and students themselves are overconfident in their work readiness. Yet, private industry, the final arbiter, unanimously says no, youth are not prepared. They lack the right work attitude, mindset and behaviors to make them and the companies for which they work, successful. Given their lack of work experience, relevant educational experiences, such as internships and practicums, something is needed to bridge the gap. The development of character strengths may be the missing key; the #iBringGCC campaign is a regional movement helping bridge the gap between youth and industry by identifying and building upon the right attitudes and mindsets that are relevant and needed in the workplace.
ملخص البحث: هناك احتياج لتناول موضوع توظيف الشباب في منطقة الشرق الأوسط/ وشمال أفريقيا. فلا زال هناك تباين ما بين أرباب العمل والمؤسسات التعليمية، فالأخيرة تعتبر بأنها تقوم بتدريب الطلبة بشكل كافي للانخراط في سوق العمل ويتمتع الطلبة بدورهم بثقة زائدة بأنفسهم وبجاهزيتهم للعمل. لكن، يأتي القطاع الخاص، صاحب الكلمة الفصل، ليقول ”لا“ معتبراً أن الشباب غير مؤهلين ولا يتمتعون بالجاهزية للعمل. فالمفهوم الحقيقي للعمل غير موجود لديهم بالإضافة لغياب عقلية التفكير والسلوكيات التي يمكن أن تسهم في تحقيق النجاح لهم وللشركات التي سيعملون لديها. وتبرز الحاجة لسد الخلل إذا ما أخذنا بعين الاعتبار نقص الخبرة المهنية، وضعف الخبرة التعليمية ذات الصلة، تلك المتمثلة بفترات التدريب والتأهيلي العملي خلال الدراسة. وهنا قد يبدو تطوير مكامن القوة في الشخصية هو الحل، لذا تم إطلاق حملة #iBringGCC
وهي حملة إقليمية تساعد على سد الفجوة بين الشباب وبين قطاع العمل من خلال ترسيخ التوجهات الصحيحة وتأسيس العقلية المرتبطة واللازمة للانضمام للعمل.
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