MCN Academy – the talent hub of parent company MCN – has launched a new graduate programme in Saudi Arabia, which offers Saudi National graduates the opportunity to learn, train, and grow, with the potential to be recruited by some of the leading global agency brands of the industry.
Aligning with the Saudi Vision 2030, the programme is designed to help increase the attractiveness of the sector to young local nationals and further build out the diversity of talent in the market within the MarComms industry.
The six months programme will see graduates take on a holistic and highly structured learning experience across all disciplines including advertising, media, PR, strategy, data, social and digital.
The programme will also offer exposure and training across all MCN agencies in KSA including FP7 McCann, UM, Initiative, MRM and Weber Shandwick.
Commenting on the initiative, Ghassan Harfouche, CEO, MCN MENAT, commented: “The programme is deeply rooted in MCN’s commitment and investment into KSA to help upskill our industry talents at every stage of their personal and professional journeys. The potential of talent in the market is huge, and we have uniquely structured the initiative to ensure exposure to all technical areas of our business as well as common themes of learning and development across an MCN level.”
In addition to technical skills, the program will heavily focus on key behavioural skills, including critical thinking and problem solving, presentation skills, communications and EQ, essential for the future success of all business.
Ricarda Ruecker, Chief Talent Officer – MCN MENAT, said, “Conscious inclusion and collaboration has always been a part of our DNA, and we strive daily to create a better environment for our talent, business and clients. Putting this at the heart of our talent strategy and investment, in a market of high demand for talent-diversification, ensures we are building and equipping our people in the best way possible for the future.”
The programme will be run on a continual six-month rotation, built to give a structured journey and learning across all of our agencies and disciplines. The hands-on experience is designed to equip the graduates with new skills and interests, broadening their career horizons.
From young leaders through to executive leadership, the MCN talent platform is committed to further nurturing and fast-tracking high-potential talent, as well as upskilling across both leadership development and within areas that will be critical for future business growth.
“MCN prides itself on being an inclusive and progressive work environment where people can thrive and flourish, both professionally and personally,” the group said in a statement.
Made up of 66 nationalities with 43 per cent of women leadership, MCN and its agencies remain committed to the development and progression of its people. For the previous two years, MCN and its agencies have been recognised as a Great Place to Work.
