CAIRO: PwC, an international professional services organization, will be introducing a training academy in Egypt scheduled to open in September 2011, according to a statement. By offering courses in finance, management, and business, The Academy will be aiming to nurture talent and develop it into full-fledged professional potential. PwC said businesses in Egypt and the Middle East have been lacking sufficiently qualified and competent employees due to lack of training and skill development. The Academy strives to bridge the gap between raw business potential and needed aptitude in the professional world. Through the first-hand expertise of professionals and hands-on guidance, trainees will have the opportunity to cultivate their business and management skills. The PwC will be providing the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) Diploma in Performance Management for the first time in Arabic which will open the doors for many degree seekers in the Arab world and specifically in Egypt. Other diplomas will offer courses in other fields such as accounting, auditing, and finance. As well as Egypt, The Academy will be opening in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. According to Mohamed El Moataz, the Assurance Partner sponsoring The Academy, "Egypt has some of the best economic potential in the region which suggests an important market for PwC. Cairo has seen a recent increase in foreign investment and PwC aims to bring talent development to the forefront." Executives at PwC believe that CEOs are about to face an organizational crisis due to a lack of competent personnel. Ron McMillan, PwC's head of assurance in the Middle East, said in a statement that "the lack of appropriate training and qualifications is an issue that The Academy aims to address." "These courses will prepare young professionals with the necessary skills to make fundamental managerial decisions, help broaden their knowledge of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), and provide them with business tools that can be immediately applied in a professional environment," said Mohamed El Moataz. The Academy's branch in Egypt will aim to align local business standards and customs with a global vision. With world-standard expertise and organizational know-how, The Academy will be the resource from which Egyptian enterprises can bolster their performance and enrich their quality oversight.
