Dubai-UAE: 31 January, 2012 - Pearson in Practice, one of the UK's largest providers of vocational and technical training and development, has officially opened its first International Training Centre in Dubai Knowledge Village, a member of TECOM Investments' Education Cluster.

Ibrahim Moosa Jamel, Director of Operations, TECOM Investments' Education Cluster, welcomed Pearson in Practice to Dubai Knowledge Village at a ceremony that was held on 29 January.

The Centre is currently offering programmes in IT, and Business, and will be later this year launching further programmes in Business Admin, Customer Services and Employability Skills. The institution aims to continue to add new industry-specific streams later in 2012. All the programmes lead to internationally accredited qualifications recognized widely by employers and higher education institutions.

Dr Ayoub Kazim, Managing Director, TECOM Investments' Education Cluster, said: "The presence of Pearson in Practice at Dubai Knowledge Village brings us another step closer to the emirate's vision of creating a strong knowledge-based economy. Such professional organizations play an important role in enhancing the intellectual capital and the capabilities of regional businesses to effectively meet new challenges."

The Pearson in Practice model is based on providing practical job skills that are in demand among employers. Based on an apprenticeship model, many of the programmes include a valuable element of work placement internship that allows learners to apply the acquired skills into a real work environment.

Fiona McBride, CEO, Pearson in Practice, said: "From our experience of working with governments and industries in other countries, we see many school leavers and graduates leaving with little hands-on knowledge and skills in key business areas and not entirely ready to make an impact at work. Some of these sectors are facing a manpower crunch because of their inability to recruit enough people with the right experience and competency. We aim to overcome this gap through working closely with employers and the government."

She continued "The UAE is a market that is already known to Pearson through our presence in the publishing and assessment landscape. It was, therefore, a natural choice to open our first Pearson in Practice International Training Centre here. We recognise a growing demand for the provision of high quality skill development in a number of key sectors.

"Within the UAE, Dubai Knowledge Village is recognised as a premier destination for people to acquire and develop quality 'learning and development', which best supports our own aims and objectives as a premier learning organisation. Being a part of Dubai Knowledge Village will help us reach out to the UAE employer and learner community more effectively. Our centre at Dubai Knowledge Village is the perfect first step for our expansion plans in the region, which we aim to further translate through opening new centres across the GCC in the short-term."

Established in 2003, Dubai Knowledge Village is home to over 450 professional centres specialized in HR development, professional testing, as well as management training and consultancy services.

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About Dubai Knowledge Village
Dubai Knowledge Village (DKV) is the world's only Free Zone area dedicated to Human Resource Management and learning excellence.  Established in 2003 as part of TECOM Investments, DKV aims to develop the region's talent pool and establish the UAE as a knowledge-based economy.

DKV is a unique hub that offers the best selection of Human Resource Management, Consultancy, Training and Personal Development programmes on a picturesque 1km long campus in the heart of Dubai.

With over 450 business partners, including Gallup, Towers Watson, Hays, Hewitt and Innovative HR Solutions, DKV aims to establish itself as both a trusted business partner and a centre of excellence for professional development. 

About Pearson in Practice
Pearson in Practice is one of the UK's largest providers of vocational and professional training and is part of Pearson, the world's leading Education Company. From pre-school to high school, early learning to professional certification, Pearson's curriculum materials, multimedia learning tools and training programmes help to educate more than one hundred million people globally - more than any other private enterprise.

We are internationally recognised as a leader of vocational qualifications, and we leverage the expertise of the wider Pearson Company.

Using an innovative training model, our programmes are hands-on, practical and deliver the current and future needs of local businesses. Crucially, they are delivered by a team of industry experts

For further information on TECOM Education Cluster, please call:
Zeba Ahmad
APCO Worldwide (JiWin Public Relations)
Tel:  +9714 361 3590 (direct)
+9714 361 3333 (switchboard)
Fax: +9714 388 8001
E-mail:   zahmad@apcoworldwide.com

Tara Basrur
APCO Worldwide (JiWin Public Relations)
Tel: +9714 361 3596 (direct)
+9714 361 3333 (switchboard)
Fax: +9714 388 8001
E-mail:tbasrur@apcoworldwide.com

For further information on Pearson in Practice, please call:
Richard Firth, Regional Director
or Mona Sawaya on
Tel: +97144472215
E-mail:Mona.Sawaya@pearson.com or Richard.firth@pearson.com   
 

© Press Release 2012