Launching this August, A Brilliant Journey of Advanced Development Programme (ABJAD) aims to develop Saudi talents currently on a supervisory level to progress into managerial roles
As part of the group’s ongoing expansion strategy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Radisson Hotel Group (RHG) remains committed to upskilling Saudi nationals working in the hospitality industry. To further cement its intensive recruitment efforts in one of its key market feeders, the group has launched ‘A Brilliant Journey of Advance Development Programme’ (ABJAD), targeting employees within the Kingdom to develop their leadership profile and help them progress in their roles across its portfolio of 26 operational hotels.
Alongside Radisson Hotel Group’s robust expansion plans, ABJAD aims to develop talents by producing skilled, well-trained and talented Saudi managers. The name “ABJAD” is derived from articulating the first letters of the Arabic alphabet in its original order, and is often used to symbolise the beginning of learning something new, which in this case alludes to leadership. Through ABJAD, talents from all departments currently on supervisory level will be provided with the tools, resources and guidance as they prepare for the next step in their hospitality career.
ABJAD intends to flourish the talents with a focus on the following pillars: Own, Deliver, Collaborate, Lead. This initiative is also aligned with the Saudi 2030 Vision to raise the contribution of the tourism sector to the domestic product to more than 10% and to provide one million job opportunities. It further cements the group’s commitment to the region, in line with its new office in the Kingdom that is set to become operational at the end of the year.
Basel Talal, Managing Director, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the Levant at Radisson Hotel Group comments: “Saudi Arabia remains to be a key market for us at Radisson Hotel Group and we aim to strengthen our presence in this market even further across both property expansion and talent development. With that in mind, we ensure that the team has the resources they need to grow and provide the best level of service to our guests. With the ABJAD program, Saudi talents will be given the appropriate coaching to guarantee their development in their careers.”
Recently, Radisson Hotel Group has been ranked fourth in Forbes’ Best Employer ranking in the Travel & Leisure industry globally. People continue to be the group’s biggest asset, delivering memorable moments every day. With this, Radisson Hotel Group has placed significant efforts to implement a vigorous engagement plan to motivate, develop and connect the team with the company’s business purpose.
“The Kingdom’s Human Capital Development Deputyship at the Ministry is always delighted to witness the immense efforts of international hotel groups as they engage and implement extensive efforts to develop Saudi nationals. The Saudi 2030 Vision continues to be at the forefront of the Kingdom’s objectives, and we remain committed to supporting incomparable learning opportunities from dynamic and culturally diverse work environments,” said Princess Noura bint Khalid Al-Saud, the Learning & Development Partnership Manager at the Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia.
The Radisson Hotel Group currently has 43 hotels and more than 8,000 rooms in operation and under development in KSA alone.
