“License to grow” with Abu-Dhabi Oil and Gas
For the first time Adecco has been granted a license for Oil and Gas recruitment and staffing in Abu Dhabi – the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and a global powerhouse in the energy sector. This license to operate represents a major breakthrough for Adecco in the Middle East and is another step towards growing professional business lines. AGN spoke with Luc Bachelerie, Managing Director of Adecco Middle East about the news...
AGN: Congratulations Luc! This is great news from the Middle East Region. When was the license for professional staffing (secondment) and recruitment granted and why is it so significant?
“The license was granted to us in October and is valid for 1 year, renewable every year thereafter. It is a massive breakthrough for us as it means we enter into an important professional market in Abu Dhabi, which is one of the global hubs for Oil and Gas talents.”
AGN: We understand that you obtained this license from the Government.
“Yes, the license has been granted by the Department of Economic Development of the Government of Abu Dhabi with the blessing of the Supreme Petroleum Council. This means we can now approach Oil and Gas companies operating in the region and most importantly the 14 subsidiary companies of the ADNOC Group (see left column about ADNOC).”
AGN: Tell me, which was the starting point of this endeavor?
“Let me share with you a bit of background to this first. Eighteen months ago we were only operating in Dubai. We had no foothold in Abu Dhabi, despite it being the Capital city of the UAE with a population of about a million. But given the attractiveness of the oil and gas sector and the strategic importance of higher margin professional business to Adecco, we knew we needed to make inroads into the market.”
AGN: How did we go about securing the license and why were we successful?
“Our biggest and best step was to secure a sponsor for us in Abu Dhabi, an ex ADNOC executive who arranged introductions to key decision-makers in ADNOC companies and within the Supreme Petroleum Council.
In our presentations, we were able to communicate Adecco’s global reach and professional sector capabilities. This was a key success factor for us as it is a Government and ADNOC priority to attract the Oil and Gas professionals to work in Abu-Dhabi.”
AGN: Now that the license is granted, how are we going about generating business and delivering solutions?
“Well, our office has been opened in Abu-Dhabi since November 1 and I have recruited Partha Das, an Engineer from the School of Mines and experienced recruiter, to lead our effort there with my support. The door is now open for us to approach all of the ADNOC companies. Meetings are now being arranged to fînd out about their specific needs for specialist engineers and oil technicians.
We will identify the right talent for these positions locally and through linking with the Adecco global network, as some Adecco offices in places such as Singapore and Scotland are well connected with the oil and gas industry. Under the contract solutions we will cater for the Oil and Gas companies of the region and namely for the ADNOC Group, supplying dedicated On-shore and Off-shore workforce. As a licensed operator, we will be able to obtain the appropriate work visas and permits.”
AGN: Sounds like you are having excellent conditions for effective business development.
“Bearing in mind that it will take a few months to translate our leads into business, but we are very confident that momentum will build as the oil and gas business remains buoyant. Also our competitive position is strong. Most of the other licensed companies are local or regional players and whilst worthy of respect, they cannot match our global reach.”
AGN: What do you see as the key learning that could help other Adecco businesses make similar breakthrough in other markets or sectors?
“Above all it is about doing your homework to understand how the staffing market works and the role it plays in the market you are targeting. In Abu Dhabi for instance the staffing market plays an important role to leverage the functioning of the oil and gas industry. Then you must build relationships with the key influencers and decision-makers. Overall, you need to invest a lot of time and effort to make such a breakthrough. What is motivating is the perspective! In this case it means an entry into a potentially large sector of business in which we are ideally placed to succeed.”
AGN: Thanks Luc for the interview and we wish you and your team in the Middle East great success with this Oil and Gas license to operate and grow!
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