A significant number of Emirati school students and university attendees have enrolled in a nationwide employment training initiative designed to encourage young citizens to pursue careers in the private sector.
This one-year pilot scheme, launched on Monday, aims to equip students in years 9, 10, and 11, and those in their final year of higher education with the necessary skills for future employment, in alignment with the government’s Emiratisation campaign.
Government Collaboration Drives Training Initiative
The Ministry of Human Resources, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the Education and Human Resources Council, is overseeing this initiative.
The first phase of the Professional and Practical Training Programme is set to involve 3,500 young individuals.
This initial one-year trial will be gradually expanded over the next five years to encompass all eligible learners within the specified age groups.
“The programme aims to expand career prospects for targeted students, familiarising them with the fundamentals of work, and underlining the important role the private sector plays and the opportunities it has to offer,” said Aisha Belharfia, acting undersecretary for Emiratisation Affairs and assistant under-secretary for Labour Affairs at the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.”
“Targeting young people at an early age has numerous benefits. At that point, they are still at an age where they are open to exploring their capabilities and potential, and they are still building their aspirations.”
“We guide them towards the right career path that enhances their role in the country’s development and progress, in line with the National Employment Strategy 2031 and the government’s ambitious plans to expand the share of Emirati citizens working in the private sector.”
Training programs will vary in duration, ranging from two weeks to three months, depending on the participant’s year group.
The completion of the practical and vocational components of this program will be considered a requirement for graduation.
Participants Sorted into ‘General’ and ‘Professional’ Tracks
The Ministry stated that those participating in the training will be assigned to one of two tracks: a ‘general track’ encompassing general high schools and advanced education, and a ‘professional track’ that includes all stages of secondary and post-secondary education.
The UAE’s Nafis program was launched in September 2021 with the goal of ensuring that by the end of 2026, 10 percent of all jobs in the private sector are filled by citizens, as part of a significant Emiratisation initiative.
Nafis recently announced that over 82,000 Emiratis are now employed in roles outside of the public sector, marking a significant increase of 52,000 since the launch of the campaign.
The UAE is actively promoting the involvement of Emiratis in the private sector, recognizing its pivotal role in economic growth.
As part of the campaign, companies are mandated to increase their Emirati workforce by 1 percent every six months. Employers in the UAE with a workforce of at least 50 members are expected to reach a 4 percent target by the end of the year.
The Emirati employment rate is set to rise to 6 percent next year, 8 percent in 2025, and 10 percent in 2026.
In July, the UAE introduced a requirement for companies with 20 to 49 employees to hire at least one Emirati in 2024 and another by 2025, marking the first time such a quota was implemented.
Last week, a substantial job fair in Dubai attracted thousands of Emirati jobseekers, with more than 100 firms participating in the Ru’ya 2023 Careers UAE Redefined event at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
