Workforce Development Programme to provide industry-relevant IT skills that are in high demand in the private sector

Abu Dhabi, UAE - 27th January 2014

The Abu Dhabi Systems & Information Centre, and Oracle Corporation announced their co-operation today to run a training programme equipping Emirati graduates with industry-relevant IT skills. The Workforce Development Programme is intended to focus on delivering IT skills training in business applications, database and Java development. Two intakes of interns will take place during the course of 2015.

The co-operation between the two entities is intended to primarily support the UAE Government's nationalization policies, and to provide more diverse opportunities for Emiratis in the workplace.

Speaking on the occasion, H .E. Rashed Lahej Al-Mansoori, Director General at Abu Dhabi Systems and Information Centre (ADSIC) stated, "We firmly believe in the importance of empowering Emirati youth who are entering the workforce for the first time. Providing them the necessary IT tools, skill sets and targeted career guidance, counseling and training, is an important step in enabling them to pursue job opportunities within the private sector".

Mr Al Mansoori went on to say that ADSIC's  new collaboration with Oracle underscores the Authority's ongoing efforts in strengthening and promoting Abu Dhabi's e-lifestyle from Emirati graduates to well-established Government entities, while supporting the UAE's national aspirations of forming a robust and home-grown private sector.

"Diversity and inclusion are part of Oracle's business strategy," said Abdulrahman El Thehaiban, Oracle Vice President, Middle East and Africa. "The multiple perspectives and experiences that our talented employees bring to their work every day drive creativity, innovation, and effective decision-making. This programme will equip Emiratis with highly relevant IT skills that we know are in high demand in the UAE.

We look forward to enriching the Oracle skills pool through this programme."

His Excellency Ali Rashid Al Ketbi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Tawteen Council commented: "Oracle is one of the largest technology giants in the region. Working with the Abu Dhabi Systems and Information Centre, this project falls within our plans to transfer the knowledge and experience to the youth of the UAE. It is consistent with good leadership in the era of the knowledge economy and the strength of data and new technologies."  He said that growth in such technical disciplines is needed in the labour market of the UAE. "The labour market, especially in the private sector, suffers clearly from a lack of national cadres in modern software technologies and solutions. We hope to contribute to the development of a generation of citizens at this level of knowledge, skill and experience. This initiative is a clear message to other employers to take responsibility for their national workforce development by implementing specialized training programmes in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in cooperation with ADSIC."

The programme will kick off immediately, and offer eligible Emirati youth training on technical competencies in high demand in today's market.

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© Press Release 2015