31 August 2015
One third of Dubai Parks and Resorts workforce to be UAE Nationals

Dubai - Dubai Parks and Resorts has launched a major Emiratisation programme to target more than 1,000 UAE Nationals by dedicating more than one third of its jobs to Emiratis. In line with Dubai Plan 2021 and 7-Year National Agenda, the programme will seek to empower and grow a new generation of talent for the theme park industry, one of the UAE's most exciting growth sectors.

The programme includes three divisions, Forsati, Sahim, and Helmi, which offer Emiratis of all career levels - from new graduates to future leaders - an inspiring range of job opportunities.

•Forsati, meaning my 'opportunity' in Arabic, will comprise a development programme for UAE Nationals of high school education or below and provide a total of 6 months training.

•Sahim, Arabic for 'contribute', will offer a direct recruit of UAE nationals at all levels with high school education and above with minimum 3 years' experience across all departments within Dubai Parks and Resorts.

•Helmi, which means 'my dream' in Arabic, will offer graduates an exciting scholarship programme.

Each programme division will empower participants to become well-trained professionals, who will play a central role in driving the the operations of the company's three theme parks in Dubai that are set to open in October 2016.

Raed Al Nuaimi, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Parks and Resorts, said: "Through the launch of this Emiratisation programme we aim to build a significant talent pool of Emirati professionals in theme park operations. Building Emirati talent is part of our commitment to accomplishing the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to nurture and empower Emirati skillsets in all business sectors."

He added: "We are setting a new milestone in Dubai's leisure and entertainment industry through our ground breaking theme parks. However, we believe that alongside our investment in building a robust leisure industry infrastructure, it is equally important to inspire a new generation of Emirati talent to drive its operations. This is key to the long-term sustainability of the theme park industry in the UAE."

Dubai Parks and Resorts is developing the Middle East's largest multi-themed, integrated family entertainment destination. The resort will feature the region's first LEGOLAND®, along with a LEGOLAND® Water Park, as well as motiongate™ Dubai - a unique theme park showcasing some of Hollywood's most beloved characters from DreamWorks Animation, Sony Pictures Studios and Lionsgate. Committed to bringing together the best of the East and West, Dubai Parks and Resorts will also feature Bollywood Parks™ Dubai, the first ever theme park based on the sights and sounds of Bollywood.

The entire destination will be connected by Riverland™ Dubai - a retail, dining and entertainment walkway and guests can stay at the Lapita™ Hotel, a Polynesian-themed resort catering to families.

Those who are interested in applying for a job at Dubai Parks and Resorts can contact the recruitment team at: careers@dp-r.com or visit the dedicated careers website: http://careers.dubaiparksandresorts.com/emiratisation/

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About Dubai Parks and Resorts
Dubai Parks and Resorts PJSC (DFM: DUBAIPARKS), will become the Middle East's largest multi-themed leisure and entertainment destination comprising three separate theme parks: motiongate™ Dubai, a Hollywood movie inspired theme park concept; LEGOLAND® Dubai, the first LEGOLAND theme park in the Middle East; and Bollywood Parks™ Dubai, a first-of-its-kind entertainment destination that will showcase the authentic Bollywood movie experience. In addition LEGOLAND® Water Park, the region's first water park catering to families with children 2-12 will also open on the site.

The development will also host the Lapita™ Hotel, a Polynesian-themed hotel which will be managed by the Marriott Group, and Riverland™ Dubai, a centrally located district of 220,000 square feet of leasable retail, dining and entertainment space connecting the three theme parks, water park and hotel.

Set to open in October 2016, the large-scale AED 10.5 billion project is spread across 25 million square feet of land strategically located on Sheikh Zayed Road close to the Palm Jebel Ali between Dubai and Abu Dhabi.  6.7 million ticketed visits are expected in 2017, the first full year of operation.

For more information go to: http://dubaiparksandresorts.com

For further information please contact:
Sameh Hamtini / Sarah Jackson
ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller
Email: sameh.hamtini@bm.com / sarah.jackson@bm.com
T: +971 4 4507600

© Press Release 2015