DUBAI, 16 April 2008 - Emirates Group has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Emirates National Development Programme (ENDP) at the Careers UAE 2008 Exhibition in Dubai, to boost training and employment opportunities for young UAE nationals.

The one-year agreement signed by Masooma Hassan, Emirates' Manager National Recruitment and Development, and Essa Al-Mulla, Director of ENDP, paves the way for some 200 UAE nationals to join the rapidly-expanding Emirates Group.

The people recruited last year by the group are now working in the company's commercial departments and contact centres with a significant number trained to work at the new Emirates-dedicated terminal at Dubai International Airport when it opens this summer.

In welcoming the partnership with ENDP, Masooma Hassan said: "The Emirates Group has a well-established programme of career development for UAE nationals and we are very pleased to work again with our colleagues in ENDP".

"With this partnership, we are helping to contribute to the vision and aspirations of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president and Prime minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who stresses on the importance of developing the country's workforce, enabling them to become the leaders of the future."

The programme strives to integrate young UAE nationals into the current workforce engaged in building the UAE's future, and has thus far placed more than 1,200 nationals in the private sector.

ENDP and Emirates will each appoint a project manager to oversee the campaign. Selected candidates will undergo comprehensive sector-specific training, including a three-month English course at the Emirates Aviation College, enabling them to jump-start their careers in the booming travel industry.

The selected candidates will be placed in various departments such as Emirates Airport Services, Emirates Group Security , Dnata Passenger Services, Emirates SkyCargo, and the Group's many Call Centres.

Essa Al-Mulla, Director of ENDP, said: "Emirates Group is a real strategic partner to ENDP, and we always feel that UAE nationals are proud to work for this group and are always looking for more and more opportunities with this group".

He added: "it is not the first time that we partner with Emirates Group, and we are proud of this renewed partnership with this leading national group as we consider this continuity a proof of our success in providing them with the best talents among jobseekers".

Al Mulla concluded : "this MoU will change the lives of more than 200 persons within months and we are confident that the active national development department will open more opportunities in the near future".

Emirates Group is at the forefront of meeting national development needs. The group has a 25-staff National Recruitment & Development department, aided by an AED 60 million training budget, that conducts road shows, school visits, for summer training initiatives, and participation in the annual Career Fair.

The increasing importance being paid to encouraging UAE nationals to join Emirates Group is beginning to pay dividends as larger number of UAE nationals are seeking careers with the group on a year-to-year basis.

Launched in 2005, under the aegis of His Highness Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, the ENDP has identified six sectors - trade, hospitality, real estate, semi-government, insurance and banking - to provide nationals with long-term career opportunities.

-Ends-

Notes to Editors:
Emirates Nationals Development Programme was established in November 2005, under the directions of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashed Al Maktoum UAE Vice-President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. Its objective was to empower UAE nationals and provide them with knowledge and skills necessary to start a career in various aspects of national economy, especially in the private sector.

On 17 June 2006, ENDP started receiving applications from unemployed UAE national job seekers through its website and special booths in malls.

ENDP adopts four strategies through acknowledging the market needs, attracting UAE nationals, training them, recruiting them and following up on their progress. Its activities are concentrated in sectors that have proved important for the national growth such as hospitality, trade, banking, insurance, real estate and semi government sectors.

ENDP has formed industry specific committees comprising of the leaders of various private sector companies that suggest solutions to problems hindering UAE nationals from joining the private sector, and discuss their training needs.

For more information:
Noora Al-Mansoori
A'Sidrah Public Affairs
+971 4 364 2319
e-mail: Noora.yousef@asidrah.ae

Press Release 2008