Retention, not recruitment is top HR challenge

Close to half (44 per cent) the respondents of a recent MENA survey maintain that retention and employee engagement are the topmost HR challenges compared with just one in five (19 per cent) of those opting for recruitment as the biggest challenge in the sector.

Continuous intake programs and intensive training have helped the industry address the recruitment challenge well.

Now it is the next step of engaging and retaining the staff that has come under the spotlight.
 
Building competencies and leadership development were the other top-quoted challenges.

The survey, conducted by the International Quality and Productivity Centre, polled 2,895 energy sector respondents, had some other interesting findings too.
 
When asked to define the most prominent role that HR had to play, planning for rewards and compensation came in last with less than 1 in 10 (9 per cent) voting for it.
 
Talent Management and learning and development with 17 per cent each were on top of the table.

Mark Bechtold, HR & Organization Development Consultant at Saudi Aramco, said: “Factors impacting organisations include rising costs, competitive business environments, and changing workforce demographics.
 
To address these issues, management in Middle East oil and gas companies must build on the strengths of the Middle Eastern, Arab culture in a way that involves, engages and inspires employees to work harder and smarter.”

The most interesting areas of interest were nationalisation and leadership development initiatives. As the custodians of the region's natural and mineral wealth, it is important that the national population is involved in key leadership positions, which in turn are safeguarded through a structured succession plan.

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