On this occasion, Dr. Abdul Rahman Al Manan Al Awar, Director General of the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) said, “The ability to cope up with rapid technological developments-known as the 4th industrial revolution, is a major challenge facing most of the world's governments and institutions at the moment.”

He added, “The emergence of Blockchain technology, which has played a pivotal role in automation and digital documentation processes, has changed the profile of the global labor market and has greatly influenced the investment trends in human capital as well as the nature of skills and competencies required by the market in the public and private sector.”

He further commented, “We have to recognize that modern technology has become an integral part of our daily lives. Recent studies have shown that out of the current world population of 7.6 billion people, nearly 3.6 billion people have access to internet and this figure is only expected to rise over the next 5 years. Moreover, Artificial Intelligence and other related technologies will have a huge and direct impact on the world's markets, which are expected to lose nearly 73 million jobs over the next few years. At the same time, it is predicted that rapid technological developments will create an equal number of new jobs as indicated by specialized studies in this regard.”

He also stated, “We are indeed very fortunate in the UAE, as our wise leadership has given special attention to the rapid technological development and its importance since its emergence. It has also utilized this technology in the development of organizations and work cultures. Similarly, the UAE has invested a lot in upgrading the skills of individuals and talents while at the same time keeping a close watch on the latest developments and changes taking place in the job market. Owing to these factors, the UAE’s job market currently serves as an ideal model for investment in human resources.”

Additionally, Director General of FAHR highlighted, “Over the past nine years, FAHR International Conference has greatly strengthened its position as one of the most important global conferences in the field of human resources, which aims at empowering individuals and truly succeeded in becoming a knowledge and intellectual platform for all key stakeholders and professionals in the industry, coming from various parts of the world.”

4th Industrial Revolution and the Challenges of Human Competencies Integration

Commenting on the occasion, Johnny C. Taylor Jr., President & CEO, Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) – USA expressed his pleasure for visiting Dubai for the first time and said: “The theme for the 9th edition of FAHR International Conference, ‘4th Industrial Revolution Human Capital Challenges’ is very timely and I believe the 4th Industrial Revolution is already underway.”

On his session titled “Better Work Places Better World”, he discussed the experience of the UAE in the field of government work, employees’ happiness and satisfaction, and utilizing technology in servicing clients stressing that the UAE preceded the world in forming a Ministry of Happiness and Ministry for Artificial Intelligence. He also said that UAE is one of the most dazzling countries in many areas, especially investment in the development of human capital.

Taylor also mentioned: “SHRM has over 310,000 members from 165 countries with offices in all over the world including UAE, which has an average human resource life of 30 years, which contributes to creating promising jobs for young people, while the average age of human resources in Japan is 47 years old, compared to 37 years of human resources in the United States.”

He added: "The observer for the global labor market will note that the interest of institutions is focused on the appointment of people with expertise and skills, not academic degrees, especially as the speed of change in jobs is significant, noting that 66% of the current jobs will disappear after 10 years as the machine will replace the human in many jobs.”

5 Megatrends Shaping the Future of Jobs

Commenting on the occasion, Dr. Paolo Gallo, Adjunct Professor, Bocconi University Milan, Executive Coach, Keynote Speaker & Best-Selling Author, Switzerland, said, “the Future of Jobs in the 4th Industrial Revolution is changing very quickly and that there are five main trends that shape the job market in the UAE and the world: (globalization, demographics, technology-digital, learning and business ethics).

Dr. Paolo Gallo stressed that the independence of artificial intelligence contributed in taking decisions without any human interference, and that 44% of managers jobs will disappear and be replaced by computers by 2030, noting that the most recent specialized studies have confirmed that 133 million jobs will be developed through the next few years, while nearly 75 million jobs will disappear worldwide.

He also mentioned that by 2027, the number of people working independently will increase, and 70% of the workforce will seek valuable jobs and achieve their ambitions regardless of pay, believing that there is a need to restructure institutions of the future, taking into account the capacities and skills already there in the employees.

Commenting on the occasion, Dr. Abdul Salam Al Madani, Chairman, INDEX Holding, said, “The UAE, in line with the vision of our wise leadership, has undertaken significant efforts towards the development, advancement and upgradation of skills of HR professionals as well as state entities and institutions in the industry that best serves our collective goals and aspirations through many new strategies and initiatives such as providing a supportive and stable work environment and offering decent living standards for everyone.

Government Skills Bank

In her session, HE Laila Al Suwaidi, CEO – HR Planning and Projects Sector, FAHR, shed light on the Government Skills Bank project which was launched by the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources in 2018 to help the ministries and federal authorities to benefit from all the experts and professionals they have by electronically documenting this using the Human Resources Management Information System (Bayanati). This step aims to make use of their potentials in developing the corporate work in the federal authority, instilling the culture of knowledge management therein, and enabling the federal bodies to benefit from all the experiences and knowledge in different fields and specialties related to the work of the federal entity.

She further explained that the member of the Government Skills Bank network, as per the guidelines, is the individual who has high skills and knowledge and continuously acquiring new experiences through practical practice and available education opportunities.

Al Suwaidi also stated that the project provides the employees with many benefits including, (motivating them to acquire new skills and knowledge, promoting institutional affiliation, and improving their job satisfaction levels.)

She pointed out that identifying the members of the network of government skills bank in the ministries and federal bodies contributes to Creating a work environment that promotes knowledge and improve the organizational memory, providing a clearer picture of the level of knowledge and skills of employees, reducing the time consumed in identifying the right expert, the ability to define the work requirements and the visitors’ need in a better way, rationalization of expenditures and optimal use of resources, and activating activities related to the integration and involvement of competencies within the succession planning in the entity.

Using Predictive Analysis to Understand Staff Trends

In his session, Sumit Tandon, Director, Human Resources Middle East Africa, Boeing International, discussed the topic “Sharpen and Accelerate to Win” where he discussed the challenges facing the institutions these days in regards to employees’ management in general and the talented competencies in particular.

Tandon also showcased Boeing experience in managing its human capital, emphasizing that their focus is centered around their people and that they use the predictive analysis to understand staff trends which will contribute to enhancing human resources management capabilities to make decisions that serve their staff and enhance their functional happiness.

First day sessions

On the first day, a number of discussions and sessions were held related to the main theme of the conference, ‘The 4th Industrial Revolution Human Capital Challenges’, wherein Nelly Boustany, Digital HR Experience Director, EMEA, SAP, spoke about ‘People at the Heart of Digital Transformation’ while Jack Naidoo, HR Lead Middle East & Africa, Cisco spoke about ‘How Culture will shape “The Workplace of the Future” and Lewis Garrad, Business Leader and Senior Consultant, Mercer Middle East – Singapore spoke about ‘The Science of Thriving Workforces in the 21st Century’.

People at the Heart of Digital Transformation

In a session titled “People at the Heart of Digital Transformation" Dr. Nelly Bustani, Director of Digital Human Resources Experience at SAP EMEA, said that the world of work is changing and organizations need to develop innovative ways to manage, measure and manage their human resources. She stated that institutions are required to adapt to the various variables and rapid developments, especially as the expectations of the workforce are constantly changing and institutions must work to meet the demands of their employees. She highlighted that advanced digital technologies have permeated our daily lives and has transformed everything from the way we work, move and function in our daily lives.

She also pointed out that digital transformation in organizations does not mean dependence on technology and marginalization of individuals, but the focus on individuals, innovation and investment in talent, stating that the institutions are required to pay attention to the talented people, embrace them, and provide them with psychological, physical and material support to maintain them.

She stressed that the adoption of institutions to the culture of innovation and investment in individuals is the primary motivation for business prosperity and progress at a steady pace, as well as dealing with the digital transformation in institutions and companies in an intelligent and conscious way.

Unconventional Work Options in the Fourth Industrial Revolution

Abdul Aziz Harib Al Falahi, CEO, Corporate Technical Support Service, Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), said that in light of the latest technological developments in a number of fields, including Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Nanotechnology, Quantum Computing and Internet of Things, business leaders, industry experts and leading decision-makers are beginning to fear that someday these technologies will replace them.

During his session, Al Falahi reviewed the effects of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, especially Artificial Intelligence on the future of the work force. He pointed out that recent research conducted by leading international companies in the field of technology confirmed that Artificial Intelligence will not only lead to job losses but will also create more than 2 million jobs by 2025.

The Power of World Expos – Case of Expo 2020 Dubai

Fatima Moussa Alloghani, Head of Expo Academy & Emiratization, HR, Workforce and Volunteers, Expo Dubai 2020, said that the Expo showcases not only humanity's achievements in terms of innovation and ideas, but also a glimpse of what the future will look like.

In her session, she highlighted that the Expo Dubai 2020 will be an unprecedented event, attracting more than 190 countries and millions of visitors to the UAE, under the theme “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future", which will discuss various sub-themes such as “Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability". She stated that the sub-theme of opportunity is particularly relevant to tomorrow’s job market, as it focuses on unlocking the potential within each of us to shape the future.

Furthermore, she mentioned that the 5G-enabled world expo will feature everything from Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality to hyperloop transport and blockchain and demonstrate how these technologies will shape the way we live and work in future.

The Exhibition

Running parallel to the conference, the exhibition brings together 11 leading HR solutions providers, academic institutions and renowned business firms who will showcase their latest technologies and breakthrough solutions related to the Human Resources Sector.

FAHR International Conference is sponsored by ENOC, SAP MENA LLC and supported by our Knowledge Partners Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and Dubai Knowledge Park.