The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) and its partners in the ‘Professional and Practical Training Programme’ for Emirati students have surpassed the target set for the programme’s pilot phase in 2023 by providing more than 3,400 training opportunities for Emirati students. Over 500 entities provided training opportunities, a result that led to exceeding the original target of 350 entities.

Overall, 1780 students have enrolled in the programme since the launch of its pilot phase in September 2023, as the phase will continue until the end of the academic year 2023-2024. It will be followed by the implementation of the final and more comprehensive phase of the programme that extends over five years to support the employment of Emirati students as part of the skilled workforce in the private sector. These students will gain the necessary practical experience during the various stages of their education, through several tracks offered to them from the ninth grade to the final year of higher education.

MoHRE is the overall coordinator of the programme, in collaboration with partners: the Ministry of Education, the Emirates Schools Establishment, Higher Colleges of Technology, the Abu Dhabi Centre for Technical & Vocational Education and Training (ACTVET) , Institute of Applied Technology, and with the support of the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Programme (Nafis).

His Excellency Ahmad Al Nasser, Assistant Undersecretary of National Human Resources Development at MoHRE, said: “MoHRE, in cooperation with its partners, continues to work towards qualifying and training national talent and enhancing their competitiveness in the labour market. By launching various initiatives in the field of training and qualification, we aim to integrate UAE citizens into the private sector from an early age. This is the stage when their ideas are taking shape, and they realise their true interests and inclinations.

It’s a part of the ministry’s responsibility and directives to enhance citizen participation in the labour market and enable them to contribute to the success of the country’s future economic growth in line with the leadership’s vision.”

He added: “The ‘Professional and Practical Training Programme’ for Emirati students is a continuation of our achievements in the field of Emiratisation and builds on the successes achieved through the years resulting in training Emirati talent to join the workforce and excel in different professional fields and contribute to the nation’s economic growth.”

He also highlighted the “achievements made during the pilot phase of the programme and the enthusiasm shown by students, educational institutions, and supervisory bodies.”

The ‘Professional and Practical Training Programme’ seeks to achieve three main objectives: promote professional skills development among Emirati youth in line with the UAE’s economic diversification goals and priority sectors; build a strong work ethic among Emirati youth to encourage them to consider private sector careers from an early age, and strengthen ties between Emirati students and private sector companies.