The UAE has unveiled a new training program aimed at Emirati students, spanning from the ninth grade to the final year of their higher education. This initiative, known as the ‘professional and practical training program,’ intends to foster Emirati participation in the private sector. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has disclosed that the pilot phase will operate for one year, involving 3,500 students at different educational levels. Subsequently, over the course of five years, the program will progressively expand to encompass all students from the ninth grade and onwards.

Aisha Belharfia, the acting undersecretary for Emiratisation Affairs and assistant undersecretary for Labour Affairs at the MoHRE, stated that the program’s primary objectives include broadening career opportunities for targeted students, acquainting them with the basics of work, and emphasizing the significant role of the private sector, along with the opportunities it presents. This program comprises two tracks: a ‘General’ one for high school students and a ‘Professional’ track encompassing secondary and post-secondary education. Collaborating with private sector firms, the program offers weekly financial incentives to students nominated by educational institutions. The initiative aligns with the government’s aim to reshape Emirati perceptions of the private sector from an early age, enhancing their expertise to enable them to find suitable career paths in line with their academic pursuits. It is part of a broader strategy to increase the number of Emirati citizens working in the private sector, creating synergies between students and private companies to promote skill transfer, nurture professional relationships, and facilitate job opportunities while bridging the gap between education and private sector demands.