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Dear Subscriber
It's been a while since I published an edition of HRD Alert! In that time I've moved from Central Australia to Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates (temporarily) and have been extremely busy settling in and managing affairs at both ends of the globe. Something had to go and the newsletter was it. I'm also progressively making the move from Dreamweaver to XsitePro as my site development and management tool, as it's quicker, easier and the way of the future. It will take me several months to complete the task and in the meantime, you'll notice there are two different page layout schemes ... the old and the new.
Anyway, from this edition, I'm back and rearing to go. I thought I'd write an article about the UAE's Higher Colleges of Technology with whom I'm doing some work and include links to a couple of items about teams.
I hope you find something interesting in this issue and thank you for being a subscriber.
Yours in HRD
Robin Henry
Principal Adviser/Publisher
The Higher Colleges of Technology (UAE)
The United Arab Emirates is, compared with Australia, a tiny country, situated next to considerably larger Saudi Arabia and Oman. The UAE is oil wealthy and buys around 80% of its labour force from other countries with large numbers of workers from Pakistan, India and the Phillipines. The number of Emiratis in the work force is low as many do not need to work and the general level of education among the indigenous population is lower than it is in most developed countries. After decades of having expatriate servants to do menial work, Emiratis don't expect to do manual labour or menial work. This is reflected in its Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) which does not provide trade level courses. Demand for skilled trades is met from expatriates.
The Federal Government of the UAE is addressing the undereducation issue by providing various educational opportunities for its citizens in a range of universities and Higher Colleges of Technology. There are 12 HCT colleges across the country, all of which are only open to Emirates Nationals for whom education is free.
A government Emiratisation program has identified a demand of 315,000 Emirati citizens as needing education and training between now and 2015. And this progressive government is well advanced in adaptation of technology and modern processes, although it has a long way to go to catch up with developed countries.
The HCT is an exemplar of best resourcing. Everything possible has been provided to help the teaching and learning process; the building and infrastructure could only be described as excellent, libraries are well stocked and equipped, classrooms have the latest in technology including electronic whiteboards, overhead projection equipment and networked computer access. Instructors come from hundreds of different countries and are, nowadays, expected to have a Master's degree among their qualifications and extensive experience. Salaries and conditions of service are the best I've seen anywhere, which means competition for teaching positions is intense.
For cultural and religious reasons (the UAE is a Muslim country), colleges are gender-based. This means there is not one, but two separately resourced colleges at every location.
HCT has an interesting range of programs and also runs an organisation called the Centre for Excellence in Research and Technology which is a commercial arm of the organisation.
If you are involved in VET at any level, it's well worthwhile visiting the HCT site here and having a look at what's happening and how it's being done. It will be an eye opener ... I promise.
Building High Performance Teams by RG Srinivasan
Your managerial success is tied to your team. Teams are the most valuable resource of an organization. The times of lone leadership are over with Alexander the Great. These are the times of the team leadership. If you can build a successful team and work as the leader who is just a little more equal than others you may be able to pull off everything you do with great success.
Read the full article here.
What's the Secret Ingredient That Turns Groups into Teams? By F McDuffee
Working together building and maintaining long-term team relationships is the key behavior and skill of the most effective people in any organization. When you start to doubt the wisdom of teamwork, heed these lessons from an unlikely source …a flock of geese.
Read full article here.
Worth a Look
Human Resources Magazine
This site has a large amount of information that is free to access ie, no subcription paid or otherwise required. It's essentially Australian, but topics such as book reviews and items about people in HR will appeal to a wider audience.
Human Resources Institute of New Zealand
The name of this site is self-explanatory. It's always good to know how the other half lives.
Australian Public Service Commission
Anyone interested in APS watching or general research about public sector HR will like this site. It has a current report about staff shortages in the APS and how to overcome the Baby Boomer drain. Also, in the near future the APSC will deliver it's State of the Service Report which is always enlightening.
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