Delivered by APL in Partnership with Kaplan Professional, a leading global provider of end-to-end professional development solutions
Across the world’s fastest-growing economies, organisations need graduates who are genuinely ready for professional life from day one. APL’s graduate development programme is a structured, configurable learning solution for organisations investing in the professional readiness of their graduate talent.
In Saudi Arabia and across the Gulf, the programme is delivered as WATHEQ (واثق) — meaning confident, trustworthy and assured. For international cohorts, it is delivered as FORTIS — from the Latin for strength and resilience. Same programme. Two expressions. One standard.
Organisations worldwide need structured, measurable graduate development aligned to global standards — delivered locally, at scale, and with demonstrated impact. APL and Kaplan Professional provide precisely that.
Core business fundamentals, personal effectiveness and professional readiness.
Advanced business management, quality systems and operational excellence.
End-to-end procurement, contract negotiation and supplier management.
Strategic thinking, scenario planning and execution roadmaps.
Industry-standard project management frameworks and practical delivery skills.
Audit methodology, governance and risk assessment for internal auditors.
Two subject-matter experts per programme — behavioural and technical — maximising interaction and depth.
A live, competitive business simulation running throughout the programme, putting learning into practice from Week 1.
Real business challenges solved by cohorts, culminating in a formal capstone presentation to stakeholders.
Pre and post-assessment after every module — transparent progress tracking from day one.
Faculty assess delegate performance, engagement and professional conduct throughout delivery.
Separate detailed reports for each delegate and for the organisation's HR and line managers.
Technical support and mentoring available during and after programme completion.
Access to Kaplan's international network of keynote speakers and specialist guest presenters.
Kaplan delivered a 7-week graduate development programme for 160+ Saudi graduates at PIF — combining project management, business analysis, soft skills and a business simulation. Pre and post-assessments fed into a comprehensive final report. Delegates praised the practical approach and variety of real-world case studies. Top scores recorded across all delegate feedback categories.
A 2-week intensive programme for high-potential UAE Nationals, balancing technical banking knowledge with personal development. Senior advocacy included a welcome address from the Central Bank Governor. The programme was subsequently extended — a direct endorsement of delivery quality. Both programmes are directly analogous to graduate development programme requirements. References available on request.
APL maps your graduate cohort profile, business priorities and programme requirements — then selects the right tracks and modules from the programme menu.
APL and Kaplan co-configure a bespoke delivery plan: track selection, sequencing, cohort size, assessment framework and timeline.
From pilot cohort to full-scale deployment — frameworks are in place, and APL can move at pace.