Emiratisation is focal point for FMs in 2012

Experts at the round table said Emiratisation would be a strong focus for the industry next year.

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Encouraging Emiratis to join the facilities management industry is something many companies will focus on over the next year, experts say.

At fmME’s round table event, speakers from Emrill, Khidmah, EFS, Farnek Avirreal and Duserve FM said they could see the industry continuing to invest in its people and will particularly focus on drawing UAE nationals into the business.

“We believe Emiratisation will make a big impact,” explained Khidmah’s senior services manager Ryan Darnell. “There aren’t many [people], particularly of an Emirati background, that go to university and say they want to be an FM. Many don’t even know the field exists. Educating through [our Emirati] intern program and having them go back and disseminate that information is great for us. They all seem very keen once they’ve spent a few weeks with us,” he said.

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He confirmed that the year would see Khidmah concentrate on team building.

“We’re focusing on people and building up our teams, both with people from the UAE and outside. For the industry, the next year will be about looking for people that possess the right skills,” said Darnell.