One Year Programme to Foster Emirati Talent with Induction of 23 Graduate Trainees

Abu Dhabi, 7 November 2010: Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), the master developer of tourism, cultural, and residential destinations in Abu Dhabi, has announced the launch of its inaugural Graduate Development Programme. The programme has been designed to recruit newly graduated Emirati university students in the role of "Graduate Development Trainee" as part of TDIC's drive to foster local talent and contribute to the future growth of the emirate's tourism industry.

23 fresh Emirati graduates have been selected to join the programme, which will run over a one year period. During this time, the Graduate Trainees will be assigned regular job rotation assignments in three different departments within the organisation based on their studies and interests. The annual programme is intended to induce new employees into the TDIC culture in preparation for their full time employment in the organisation.

Mubarak Al Muhairi, Managing Director of TDIC, said, "The engagement of this highly skilled group of Emirati students within our company will have a positive impact not just on the trainees' own individual careers but also on the wider local community by creating a broad talent pool that will contribute to the growth of the tourism industry in Abu Dhabi. Education is one of TDIC's core values and we believe it is essential to create opportunities to nurture the talents of local young people, who will ultimately be the leaders of tomorrow.

"TDIC is committed to opening doors and providing opportunities for local students and young people, and has already had success through the company's student internship programme, which has seen students become directly involved in the development of projects such as the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Museum," added Al Muhairi.

TDIC's Graduate Trainees will participate in a variety of carefully selected "soft skills" courses to help them acquire useful skills for work and to help them progress their careers. These include business writing, problem solving & decision making, presentation skills and communication skills. Each trainee has a Graduate Liaison Officer assigned to them to ensure they receive guidance throughout the programme; the officers are also responsible for providing continuous mentoring and tailored job rotation assignments. Following the successful completion of the programme, the trainees will have the option to become full-time TDIC employees.  

The 2011 TDIC Graduate Development Programme will be open to fresh applicants in spring 2011 and applicants for next year's programme are invited to apply via their university or college at that time. TDIC will also be engaging local schools over the coming year in an awareness programme to attract interest from future graduates.

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About Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC)
Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC) is a master developer of major tourism destinations in Abu Dhabi, the largest of the seven emirates, which make up the United Arab Emirates, and a key contributor to its economic and cultural progress.

TDIC is behind some of Abu Dhabi's most prestigious projects including two major destinations - Saadiyat Island, which will house the world's largest single concentration of premier cultural institutions including the Zayed National Museum, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, Louvre Abu Dhabi, a performing arts centre and maritime museum, and Desert Islands which will be one of the world's largest environmentally sustainable tourism destinations.

By creating investment partnerships and joint ventures, TDIC's developments are helping to support Abu Dhabi's evolution as a world class destination for tourists, businesses and residents and helping to realise the emirate's considerable tourism potential and strategic goal of delivering 2.3 million hotel guests by 2012 year end.

TDIC has been awarded high investment grade ratings of A1, AA, and AA by three top credit rating agencies, Moody's, Standard & Poor's and Fitch.  These ratings reflect TDIC's strong financial position and support the company's credit worthiness to investors, lenders and other market participants. In July 2009, TDIC also launched a US$ 1 billion bond, which represented the inaugural issuance under the US$ 3 billion Global Medium Term Note (GMTN) programme. The same year, TDIC issued its inaugural US$1 billion five-year sukuk which is the largest sukuk in the GCC for this year. 

Established in April 2006, TDIC has built a strong reputation among international industry players for its compelling value proposition, transparency of business approach and ability to deliver. Locally, TDIC offers significant employment and vocational training opportunities for Emiratis keen to enhance their careers and professional qualifications.

For further information visit www.tdic.ae

© Press Release 2010