albatha

Dubai, UAE, February 6th, 2013: Albatha Group, one of the largest conglomerates of UAE, with interests in diversified business sectors will be training over record 5000 employees from across 25 group companies in 3 days and creating a new corporate training benchmark yet again. The Group aims to transform the organization into a "Learning Organization" by promoting "Learning & Development" across the Group. Albatha will conduct this marathon 'Albatha Learning Festival' on February 8th, 9th and 10th 2013 at the Expo Centre Sharjah. Close on the heels of the last year's success, the Group has decided to conduct this year's festival on a much larger scale.

"Our vision is to be one of the pioneering multinationals in the UAE adopting international best practices. Albatha has embarked on a journey towards becoming a 'learning organization.' This year we decided to further scale-up this programme for the benefit of our employees across all levels. We value our people and every year we ensure that each of our over 5000 people avail of learning opportunities to develop themselves. The Albatha Learning festival which is now an annual event is to promote the learning culture. This is a unique event, wherein Albatha comes together as one big family, learning together." said Albatha's Group Managing Director, Mr.Ishaque Noor.

The Group created this platform last year to stimulate beginning of a cultural change. This year a total of 130 sessions are being held in 3 days for over 5000 employees ranging from safety, creativity and innovation, to management and leadership programs covering all levels of employees in the group. The Group will showcase new and creative programs such as process improvement techniques. Last year, Albatha also received the 'Best Training, Learning and Development Award' at the 'HR Leaders Forum and Awards' conference held by the Dubai World Trade Centre.

Albatha Group comprises of 25 group companies spread across seven industry sectors i.e. automotive, consumer, engineering, home products, real estate, healthcare, household and personal care. The Group also owns several brands such as Star beverages, Arctic Gold & Al Areesh frozen foods, Super General electronics and appliances, E-City multi brand electronic stores, Glenda & Amara biscuits, Taj home & personal care products. The Group represents international brands such as BMW, Rolls Royce, Siemens, AstraZeneca, Merck, Johnson & Johnson, Scholl, Lindt, Henkel, Kraft, Akai and Indesit among others.

Albatha business is spread across the Middle East and North Africa region with a distribution network that expands from the Indian sub continent to Europe. Albatha represents over 200 international corporations serving them with their business and branding needs in the most effective and professional manner. The company also manufactures international brands on behalf of their partners as well as creates its own brands.

"Learning and development is a continuous process and it is not only beneficial for the employee and the company but also the economy as a whole. "The main objective of the festival is to promote Learning & Development within Albatha, and to provide a learning platform to employees to enhance and further develop skills and competencies. We are delighted to see the whole team together on a single platform. For Albatha 'learning and development' is an integral part of human resource development. This is the process of changing an organization's culture, in order to maintain a competitive advantage," said Sabiha Kazi, Group Learning & Development Manager of the Albatha Group.

"The event is being supported by over 20 external training consultancies and partners like, Bukhatir Training & Development, Broadpeak Consulting, Interman Training, Executive Development, , Aspire Middle East, Navigate Consulting, Changing Attitudes, IAME Consultants, Genesis Institute, Navitas Consulting, Torque - the training Force from Pakistan, Abela Co. and Al Zahra hospital," added Sabiha.

Furthermore, all Albatha companies will be displaying their products and services in the exhibition area during the festival. In addition, the Dubai & Sharjah Health ministries will be conducting health checkups. Sharjah Medical District has organized an Anti Smoking campaign. A blood donation programme is also planned with the Health Ministry of Dubai. Al Zahra hospital has volunteered to conduct sessions on "No Smoking". 'Decide' a nonprofit programme under the umbrella of Albatha Healthcare Group will run awareness and screening campaign for diabetes for all employees participating in the festival.