April 19, 2005

The National Human Resources Development and Employment Authority (Tanmia) has launched a programme to provide job training in different fields for job-seekers with special needs, in association with Al Thiqah Club, Sharjah, and other social and educational institutions.

The three-month programme, which begins this month, will train job seekers with special needs through customized courses in English language and computer skills. The first half of the programme is used for imparting skills, while the second half provides training in centers affiliated with Al Thiqah Club.

"While Tanmia takes its job of finding placements for able-bodied nationals very seriously, we feel it is even more important to help special needs people integrate with the rest of the society," said Ahmed Al Ahmedi, Manager, Tanmia Office, Sharjah. "We work with different special needs rehabilitation centres to devise training programmes for job-seekers with disabilities. We would like to commend the dedication and commitment of Al Thiqah Club in running this noble initiative."

Under this project, 20 UAE nationals with special needs will receive intensive three-month training at Al Thiqah Club, Sharjah. Tanmia will bear the costs of training as well as assist the candidates in finding placements in the public and private sector companies.

"The goal of this programme is to enable people with special needs to overcome the nervousness and lack of confidence in their first job," said Haidar Talib Erabeh, General Manager, Al Thiqah Projects. "The programme provides the right atmosphere by making the jobseekers comfortable in the presence of fellow disabled persons. We boost their confidence further by offering courses in self-esteem. We feel caring is not enough; we have to provide opportunities for development. We are pleased that Tanmia is providing such strong support to disabled persons and we are confident this experiment will be a great success."

Dr. Mustafa Abou Saad, who lectures on self esteem, said: "It is very important that people with special needs are not disheartened because of their handicap. They should be constantly reminded that they can rise above their handicap and integrate with the rest. We use practices that have been successfully tried worldwide to help disabled people to overcome their lack of self esteem by stressing their positive aspects and helping them upgrade their skills."

The participants in the programme had disabilities ranging from hearing impairment, lack mobility to brain damage. They expressed their pleasure over the opportunity to prepare themselves for taking up jobs in the government and private sectors.

"I feel it is very important to upgrade my skills because everywhere I see technological advancements," said Fatima Ahmad Suleiman, a jobseeker. "I am particularly interested in strengthening my English language skills. I am willing to work in any field."

"I am looking forward to taking part in this programme," said Awad Seif Alkutaibi, another jobseeker. "I want to learn a new language. I also want to learn more about computers. My ambition is to work in the Army."

Apart from Al Theqqa Club, there are other organizations associated with the project. The IT course is being offered in partnership with the HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum IT Educational Project. The English course is being offered in association with Higher Colleges of Technology.

"Tanmia is also involved in educating companies to give people with special needs the same rights as other job-seekers and ensure that they are not discriminated against when it comes to placement. The concept of reserving certain percentage of job openings to people with special needs should be adopted by all organizations as part of their corporate social responsibility," Al Ahmedi said.

-Ends-

About Tanmia
Tanmia, the National Human Resource Development & Employment Authority in the UAE, was established by a Presidential decree in November 1999, to address the imbalance in the labour market, due to excessive dependence on expatriate workforce. Tanmia is engaged in a coordinating role, between national job seekers and employers in the private and government sectors, to facilitate increased entry of nationals in the labour market. The responsibilities that rest with the Authority are: to set up the overall policy of the Authority and supervise its implementation, conduct sustained operational and administrative labour market studies and analysis, provide career counseling and guidance to the national work force, follow-up and evaluate employment of nationals in public and private sectors, support small investment enterprises through the establishment of self-employment projects for national human resources and develop programmes for training and qualifying nationals seeking employment, in conformity with the labour market needs.

For more information please contact :
The National Human Resources Authority 'Tanmia'
External Relations Unit
Tel : +971 4 3311114
Fax : +971 4 3128264
Email: alawadhi@tanmia.org.ae
Email: pr@tanmia.org.ae

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© Press Release 2005