RIYADH: The Saudi Human Resources Development Fund (Hadaf) announced the end of the first phase of the program to develop the skills of the private sector’s future leaders. From Sunday, the first batch of trainees in the Hadaf Leadership Academy will participate in the second phase, which includes distribution of projects. They received training on team leadership skills from Britain’s Cranfield University. The training focused on ways to develop cognitive and professional skills and leadership qualities; organize, manage and distribute tasks; manage work teams; and explore personal behaviors and their impact on a leader’s life. The academy seeks to transfer global experiences and foster effective leadership. The 12-week training program was designed as a five-phase integrated development journey. It started with the nomination process, enrolment, evaluation of applicants and selecting trainees. During the third phase, trainees return to their workplaces for six weeks to apply what they have learned. The fourth and fifth phases include training, project presentation and the graduation ceremony. To join the academy, applicants must be Saudi, work in the private sector, hold a bachelor’s degree, have five years’ practical experience and at least two years’ experience in supervision and management, and have a mastery of English.