Latest news with #Kuwaitization
Arab Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Arab Times
The compassionate captain of Kuwait Airways
I did not expect to return to writing about Kuwait Airways so soon, but a message from a reader of my recent article in the Arab Times, along with an interview I came across with a former Kuwait Airways captain, compelled me to revisit the topic. The reader, a European, wrote, 'I read your article about Kuwait Airways in The Arab Times and appreciated its insight. I especially enjoyed the story about the dead horse. Your words resonated with me as both a regular flyer and someone working in aviation. 'I wanted to share this thought - We must learn from the experiences of other Gulf Cooperation Council countries. 'Their companies generate high profits and operate with clear efficiency. I work closely with them, and all have professional CEOs and management teams with extensive airline industry experience, drawn from a range of international backgrounds. 'The truth is that few industries are as global and professionally demanding as aviation, so airline management must be global in both mindset and expertise. 'I understand this may conflict with the goals of 'Kuwaitization,' but if the government wants to stop subsidizing a loss-making national carrier, while other Gulf airlines thrive, earn billions in profits, build strong reputations, and operate from world-class airports, then the only viable solution is to place the airline in the hands of professionals who adhere strictly to sound business rules.' I replied by saying I understood his perspective, and that I had previously advised more than one Kuwait Airways CEO to seek government approval to amend the regulations that prohibit hiring highly qualified foreign experts, even temporarily, until a capable Kuwaiti CEO can be trained to take over and manage the company efficiently before the foreign expert's contract ends. This is exactly what Kuwaiti banks did, and I personally witnessed both the foreign expertise phase and the rise of national talent. In the early days, most bank leadership teams were American, British, or French. But over time, and through proper training, dozens of outstanding Kuwaiti professionals emerged, including figures like Yousef Al-Awadhi, Yousef Al-Hussaini, Abdullah Al-Sumait, Adel Al-Majed, Imad Al-Saqr, Walid Mandani, and others. I apologize to those I may have unintentionally omitted. --- On another note, I recently listened to a podcast interview with a former Kuwait Airways captain. When asked by the host about the reasons behind the national carrier's decline in performance compared to other Gulf airlines, he responded without hesitation by explaining that he had served as a pilot at Kuwait Airways for 42 years, and described the company as one filled with compassion, warmth, and generosity. He emphasized that Kuwait Airways is not a profit-driven entity, but rather a service-oriented one. As an example, he pointed to the airline's humanitarian role during emergencies and natural disasters in various countries, where Kuwaiti citizens were stranded. In such cases, Kuwait Airways stepped in to rescue and return them home free of charge. He concluded by saying that Kuwait Airways is the best airline in the Gulf and proudly noted that it maintains a spotless safety record, unlike some of its regional counterparts. The captain either forgot or chose to overlook that his remarks amounted to an implicit criticism of the reputation and safety records of other Gulf airlines. By doing so, he suggested they lacked the 'love, compassion, and generosity' that Kuwait Airways reportedly shows, including failing to rescue their stranded citizens abroad. Moreover, his comparison of Kuwait Airways' safety record with those of other Gulf carriers was flawed, as if implying negligence on their part. This comparison is unfair and unrealistic. Naturally, there will be differences in performance and safety between an airline operating 20 or 30 aircraft and those managing fleets of hundreds. Kuwait Airways is our national carrier, and we all hope it achieves the highest standards. To do so, it needs to be privatized or at least granted its board of directors greater autonomy to hire international experts to manage the airline, without unnecessary interference by the relevant minister.
Arab Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Arab Times
PAAET renews co-op contract with KNPC
KUWAIT CITY, Aug 3: The Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET), represented by Director General Dr. Hassan Al-Fajjam, signed an agreement renewing its cooperation contract with Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC), represented by CEO Wadha Al-Khatib, to employ graduates of the Diploma in Refinery Operations program at the College of Technological Studies. Also present at the contract signing were acting Deputy Director General for Applied Education and Research Dr. Ahmed Al-Hunayan, Dean of the College of Technological Studies Dr. Mohammad Al-Momen, and a number of other officials. The agreement aims to renew coordination between the two parties to provide job opportunities for graduates of the Diploma in Refinery Operations program at various facilities of the company, particularly the vital refinery sites, such as Mina Al-Ahmadi and Mina Abdullah refineries. This agreement is part of the cooperation between the two parties, and KNPC's commitment to support qualified Kuwaiti youths and enhance Kuwaitization efforts in the oil sector. Al-Fajjam affirmed that PAAET is moving forward in developing its academic programs, students, and graduates to fully cover the needs of the Kuwaiti labor market. He explained that the renewal of the cooperation agreement demonstrates confidence in the ability of PAAET to train and provide national manpower with scientific and professional skills to work in the oil sector through its teaching and training staff. He said PAAET keeps pace with scientific and practical developments, as well as meeting the manpower needs of the public and private sectors. He praised the distinguished role and support of the company's CEO and team in renewing the agreement, the company's investment in Kuwaiti youths, and the continuation of this partnership, which is a successful model of integration between the government, educational institutions, and the oil sector. Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Kuwait Petroleum to begin retiring employees over 60 this year, shifting focus to hiring young nationals
Kuwait's KPC ends automatic renewals for employees above 60/Representative Image TL;DR: Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) will begin retiring employees aged 60 and above to make room for younger Kuwaiti professionals. This step is part of a wider national workforce strategy aimed at reducing dependence on expatriate labor. Recruitment efforts will now focus on fresh graduates, especially Kuwaiti engineers and technicians. In a strategic overhaul aimed at strengthening national employment in Kuwait 's vital oil sector, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) has initiated a policy to phase out employees aged 60 and above. The decision, reported by Arab Times on August 2, 2025, marks a significant shift in hiring and retention strategy and aligns with broader nationalization efforts intended to increase the share of Kuwaiti citizens in key economic sectors. What is Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC)? Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) is the fully state-owned national oil company of Kuwait, established in 1980 to consolidate all key hydrocarbon assets under one umbrella. Headquartered in Kuwait City, KPC operates across the entire oil and gas value chain—including exploration, production, refining, petrochemicals, marketing, and transportation. It manages several major subsidiaries such as Kuwait Oil Company (KOC), Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC), and Kuwait Petroleum International (KPI‑Q8), making it a globally integrated energy enterprise that accounts for about 7% of the world's crude oil production. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Sarah Ferguson breaks her silence about Prince Andrew Cleverst Undo KPC also plays a strategic role in driving sustainability, energy transition, and national economic development in line with Kuwait's Vision. Retirement of employees above 60 set to begin Under the new directive, KPC and its subsidiaries will not renew contracts for personnel who have reached 60 years of age, whether they are in technical, administrative, or supervisory roles. Only in rare and justified operational cases will an extension be considered—and that too with the approval of top-level management. This marks a move away from blanket contract extensions and introduces a more performance- and necessity-driven retention policy. Shift toward national workforce prioritized The initiative is a core part of Kuwait's 'Kuwaitization' drive, an ongoing effort to reduce the country's dependence on expatriate labor and ensure more job opportunities for its own citizens. As oil continues to be the backbone of the national economy, integrating qualified Kuwaiti nationals into all layers of the petroleum industry has become a top priority for government planners. KPC is now expected to ramp up its recruitment campaigns, particularly targeting young engineers and recent graduates from Kuwaiti universities and technical colleges. These efforts will include outreach programs, training schemes, and onboarding support, aimed at equipping new hires to take on significant roles across both upstream and downstream operations. Case-by-case review for essential personnel While the general policy dictates non-renewal beyond age 60, exceptions will be considered when specific employees hold essential skills or institutional knowledge critical to ongoing projects. Even in such cases, however, extensions will only be granted after a comprehensive review by department heads and final approval by the CEO or board-level leadership. KPC officials clarified that this is not a sudden or sweeping purge of experienced workers. Instead, the plan is structured to ensure a smooth transition where knowledge transfer from senior professionals to younger employees can occur. The long-term objective is to balance legacy experience with new-age innovation, ensuring both continuity and growth in an increasingly competitive global energy market. The phased rollout of this policy is expected to begin later this year. While exact numbers on affected employees have not been released, internal communications have already begun informing eligible staff of the impending changes. With this move, Kuwait joins other Gulf nations in reevaluating public-sector employment models to better serve national goals amid shifting economic dynamics.
Kuwait Times
7 days ago
- Business
- Kuwait Times
InvestGB celebrates interns on Intern Day
As part of bank's ongoing efforts to empower youth and local talent KUWAIT: Gulf Capital Investment Company, InvestGB, the investment arm of Gulf Bank, celebrated Intern Day, a global occasion recognizing the contributions of interns; highlighting the success of its Internship Program and reinforcing its ongoing commitment to empowering Kuwaiti youth, fostering local talent, and building a strong and capable workforce. During the Intern Day Event held at InvestGB's headquarters at Al-Hamra Business Tower, interns participated in a variety of impactful activities, including networking sessions with InvestGB and Gulf Bank leadership teams, and InvestGB's senior management team. These interactive sessions provided interns the opportunity to share their insights, engage in numerous discussions, and receive valuable career tips and mentorship from InvestGB and Gulf Bank employees. On this occasion, Sara Al-Muzaini, Senior Vice-President of Human Resources at InvestGB stated: 'At InvestGB, we believe that investing in young minds today is an investment in a stronger and more resilient future for Kuwait. We are proud to provide opportunities that empower the next generation and connect them to meaningful career pathways.' Interns pose for a photo. She added: 'Since its inception in 2023, InvestGB's Internship Program has benefited over 50 high school and university students, with 8 percent of participants transitioning into fulltime roles at the company. The program has established itself as a trusted talent pipeline and a key pillar of InvestGB's youth and education strategy. Interns have represented more than 20 local and international institutions, including Kuwait University, Gulf University for Science and Technology, American University of Kuwait, Babson College, Bentley University, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and King's College London.' Al-Muzaini continued: 'As part of the third edition of the internship program for 2025, 33 interns between the ages of 17 and 25 were selected, with a demographic split of 48 percent female and 52 percent male. The program offers hands-on training, real-world exposure, and skill development to help students navigate an evolving job market with confidence and capability. Al-Muzaini noted that InvestGB's culture is deeply rooted in inclusion, national development, and investment in human capital, whether employees or interns. Women represent 43 percent of the company's workforce, while Kuwaitization stands at 70 percent of the total team. She emphasized InvestGB's commitment to strengthening its role in the private sector by supporting and developing national talent. Through training programs and other institutional initiatives, the company continues to contribute to the sustainable growth of the Kuwaiti economy by empowering the next generation of professionals. She concluded: 'At InvestGB, we are cultivating more than a workplace; we are building a community,' added Al-Muzaini. 'Our culture is rooted in well-being, continuous development, and shared purpose, which directly contributes to our organizational excellence.'
Arab Times
22-07-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
Kuwait Is Replacing Expats With Kuwaitis — Here's What You Need To Know
KUWAIT CITY, July 22: Acting Director of the Public Relations and Media Department at the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) Mohammad Al- Muzaini confirmed that the authority continues to Kuwaitize jobs under government contracts. In a press statement, Al-Muzaini disclosed that PAM is currently coordinating with the ministries to Kuwaitize contracts in public entities such as the ministries of Electricity, Water Public Works and Health. He affirmed the completion of the first phase with the Ministry of Health, while awareness programs and interviews have started with the Ministry of Public Works. He stated that applications are being sorted and the authority is working in line with the national strategy to achieve balance in the labor market. He explained that the government contract Kuwaitization program aims to encourage Kuwaiti youths to work in the private sector, away from total reliance on government employment. He said the authority applies national labor quotas to companies and holds job fairs in partnership with the Union of Banks, banks and telecommunication companies. He added the authority has also started Kuwaitizing the health and hotel sectors to provide more job opportunities for Kuwaitis. He said some companies have exceeded the specified quotas and employed up to 40 percent of Kuwaitis without being obligated to do so. 'This is due to the success of the qualification and training programs of the authority, which contribute to the efforts to enKuwait Is Replacing Expats With Kuwaitis — Here's What You Need To Knowcourage qualified nationals to work in the private sector,' he elaborated.
