Dubai, UAE, Jan. 02, 2008- The National Institute of Vocational Education (NIVE) and the Emirates Nationals Development Program (ENDP) signed an agreement whereby NIVE will train and prepare ENDP registrants in order to prepare and enable them to join the job market in the private sector. NIVE is the first initiative of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority in Dubai (KHDA).
The agreement will be effective in the New Year with the first batch consisting of 150 participants. As per the agreement 150 UAE nationals are to be trained for employment in private sector companies. Work placement for the candidates will begin right after the training is complete.
The signing took place at NIVE campus at Dubai Academic City. Dr. Naji Al Mahdi, NIVE’s Executive Director, and Majid Bel Selah, ENDP’s Training and Development Director signed the agreement on behalf of their organizations.
The agreement highlighted that the training program will be accredited by Edexcel International as a Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC) diploma. The program will have 240 instructional hours and will increase employability skills for UAE nationals by increasing the use of IT, numeric skills and communication skills for the workplace.
Dr. Al Mahdi said, “Vocational education is the closest to the job market requirement and is now a vital option for UAE nationals who wish to contribute to the march of growth and development in the UAE. It is also a necessary step to induct UAE nationals into the select private and public sectors – UAE nationals who have the necessary technical and professional skills needed to support this march.”
Dr. Al Mahdi added, “At NIVE, we are seeking to provide the market with a part of the qualified cadre needed. We also provide training programs designed specifically to develop employees and job seekers, providing them with the needed skills required to elevate them to the international standards and keeping in line with UAE’s plan for a knowledge economy. The ENDP participants will benefit from these programs and we are sure that when they graduate they will posses all the needed skills for their respective jobs.”
Majid Bel Selah said, “ENDP is keen to provide job-seeking UAE nationals with the necessary skills to succeed and improve at their jobs. NIVE is an excellent strategic partner who will provide the appropriate educational courses according to international curricula that will meet the requirements of the job market in the UAE.”
He added, “The students will undergo theoretical and practical training under the supervision of qualified professionals, so that each one of them will be well prepared to handle their jobs as they graduate.”
He added that in 2008 he expects to increase across-the-board cooperation in order to accelerate the process of developing Human Resources and the UAE national cadre.
ENDP has trained, prepared and employed UAE nationals in many fields, such as hospitality, banking, trade and retail, real estate and quasi governmental agencies. ENDP is proud to have exceeded its targets for the year 2007 when they placed 2000 candidates during the year.