The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) and the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) have partnered with Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation (AGF) and Al Ghurair Investment in the presence of His Excellency Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, and His Excellency Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation.

The partnership aims to enhance integration and cooperation among the three entities to train and upskill Emirati talent to meet labour market requirements. It is set to provide internationally recognised professional certificates to approximately 1,500 HCT students every year, enabling them to join various economic sectors, while also creating hundreds of job opportunities and apprenticeships for UAE citizens in the private sector.

The partnership was attended by Her Excellency Ayesha Belharfia, Undersecretary for Emiratisation Affairs of MoHRE, His Excellency Dr. Faisal Alayyan, President and CEO of the Higher Colleges of Technology, Dr. Sonia Ben Jaafar, CEO of the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation, and Surhead Chaudhry, Executive Vice President of Organisational Development and Talent, People & Culture, on behalf of the Al Ghurair Investment, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation in Dubai.

His Excellency Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar said: “This collaboration ushers in a new phase of strengthening cooperation between government and private sectors, reflecting in creating job and training opportunities for UAE nationals in the labour market, which is witnessing rapid growth and providing more diverse job opportunities to keep pace with the developments in various economic sectors in the country, and in line with the directives of our wise leadership.”

His Excellency Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair said: “We are delighted to collaborate with the Ministry and HCT, which aligns with our strategy to support Emiratisation in the private sector through employment and training of UAE nationals. We firmly believe in the private sector’s prioritisation of investing in national human capital as part of the UAE Government’s vision.”

Her Excellency Ayesha Belharfia, Undersecretary for Emiratisation Affairs at MoHRE said: “The agreement supports the Ministry’s efforts and strategy of empowering the Emirati workforce in the labour market. It also confirms the consolidation of the partnership and responsibility approach of various entities to ensure the success of the government’s directives and priorities in achieving in the effective inclusion of nationals in economic development, preparing them to lead the new and ambitious economic phase of the country. This objective is achieved by empowering them with the knowledge and skills that ensure their active participation.”

His Excellency Dr. Faisal Alayyan, President and CEO of the Higher Colleges of Technology said: “Signing the agreement reflects our firm belief in our responsibility and role of enhancing the professional capabilities and competencies of future generations in alignment with important scientific enablers. Our wise leadership foresaw the significance of harmonising higher education paths with sustainable economic development plans in line with the requirements of the labour market. In order to reinforce this vision, HCT has adopted a new strategy, which is to strengthen its applied and professional programs to keep pace with the needs of the economic sectors in the country, by bringing about radical changes in its educational model to become of greater reliance on partnership with the business sector in the country when it comes to managing applied and professional programmes. This, in turn, represents a paradigm shift and a permanent approach for continued relationship of partnership and cooperation.”

On this important step, John Iossifidis, Group CEO of Al Ghurair Investment stated: “As a recognised regional top employer, we believe in nurturing and empowering Emirati talent – and this responsibility goes beyond simply offering jobs. Through partnerships like this, we can collaborate to equip young Emiratis with the necessary skills and experience to excel in their career pathways. This not only benefits them individually, but also contributes to the UAE’s continued success and economic development.”

Commenting on this event, Dr. Sonia Ben Jaafar, CEO, Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation, said: “We are proud to participate in signing this collaboration, which enriches our experience and continuous interest in supporting the Emiratisation goals based on our national and social responsibility, especially with the emerging and growing role and participation of UAE nationals in various fields and businesses through job opportunities in our organisations. The great competitiveness and exceptional capabilities of UAE national job seekers provide an authentic added value, driving the shift to a knowledge-based economy built on innovation through their professional and specialist roles.”

According to the agreement, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation will provide support to activate the Nomu programme provided by the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation – which aims to equip Emirati youth with the knowledge, skills, experience, and tools necessary to succeed in the knowledge-based digital economy – and add the Foundation’s programs on the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council’s Nafis platform, while providing opportunities for young people to register in the training path programs. MoHRE will provide full support to various stakeholders in activating joint projects within the framework of the agreed training programs, including vocational training certificates, international training certificates in various sectors, and English and mathematics upskilling certificates. Added to this is providing support in the marketing campaigns for training programs, candidate selection process, and providing the necessary data and information about them.

The HCT will secure a place on campus for activities related to the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation throughout the partnership and will support the successful registration and completion of programs supported by the Foundation and provided to HCT students. The programmes include integrating Nomu programmes, allocating time and space for students to complete their programs, and providing all possible support.

As a first phase, Al Ghurair Investment will provide around 50 apprenticeship opportunities annually for bachelor and diploma students at the Higher College of Technology in various market-driven sectors. Besides, 35 job opportunities will be created annually within its group of companies for job seekers registered in the database of MoHRE.

The Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation, and in partnership with internationally recognised programme providers, will provide 1,000 to 1,500 opportunities annually for bachelor and diploma students at the Higher Colleges of Technology to obtain professional certificates. This will be in line with the needs of the labour market. The programmes also include English and mathematics upskilling programs, in addition to 300 job opportunities annually for job seekers registered in the Ministry’s data.

Moreover, the Foundation will provide mentorship, training, and knowledge seminars for HCT students, as well as for job seekers registered in MoHRE’s database. The Foundation will also support innovation and invention by aiding and providing prizes for Ibtikar business competition organised by the Higher Colleges of Technology for entrepreneur students, and support MoHRE’s competitions of entrepreneurship & innovation in the labour market. The Foundation will also support a number of training programs to upgrade the efficiency of the faculty in HCT, and other aspects of future cooperation entailed by the partnership through proposals, agreements, and opportunities launched by the joint teams within the framework of the partnership.