MCN Academy's graduation ceremony for UAE Nationals Training & Employment Program

The unique training and employment programme was conducted by the MCN Academy, in partnership with the University of Wollongong Dubai, and the Emirates Nationals Development Programme (ENDP), and supported by Dubai Waterfront.

Nine UAE nationals graduated successfully the 10-month program including two in Abu Dhabi and seven in Dubai. The ceremony which was held in Dubai saw the graduates receive their certificates from Ricarda Ruecker, Regional Managing Director at Fortune Promoseven, who spearheads the program for the group. Representatives from the University of Wollongong, ENDP, and Zayed University also attended.

"MCN Academy's Training and Employment Programme paves the way for talented UAE nationals to develop their skills and build up their careers in the marketing communications industry", said Ricarda Ruecker, Regional Managing Director, Fortune Promoseven Network. We have seen an overwhelming response from the trainees throughout the various phases of the Program. This encouraged us to offer the successful participants, who voiced their wishes to remain in the industry, job opportunities to work in our offices. It is with great pride that I announce that four candidates including three in Dubai and one in Abu Dhabi join the client servicing, strategic planning, creative and public relations departments within the MCN offices".

Effective December 1st, Hajar Almas joined Weber Shandwick MENA as an executive in the public relations company, Haleema Jaber as an executive in Strategic Brand Planning Department of Fortune Promoseven and Aisha Al Mawed as an executive in client services of Fortune Promoseven Dubai. In Abu Dhabi, Nadya Salem Al Manea as a graphic designer in Creative Department of Fortune Promoseven.

Ruecker added "we plan to restart the program with another batch of UAE nationals in September 2008".

Azzah Al-Sharhan, Director of Emirates Nationals Development Programme said: "The UAE training and Employment Programme has enormously helped UAE nationals to embark on a new career path within the advertising and marketing industry which has witnessed a tremendous growth in the last few years".

"The development programme has provided the trainees with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the advertising business through a two-way approach that combined theory and hands-on experience. The Emirates Nationals Development Programme is proud to be a partner in this flagship programme which helps develop the national talents to take part in such an exciting industry".

Participants in the Programme were given the chance for initial two-month induction training at Fortune Promoseven and other MCN agencies in Dubai. This was followed by a three-month further education at the UOWD focusing on marketing, advertising and public relations. For the remaining five months the UAE nationals had hands-on work experience, working closely with assigned mentors, while acquiring specialized work-related skills and networking within the advertising industry.

"I am very happy to have participated in this Program" said Aisha Al Mawed, a Client servicing trainee in Fortune Promoseven. "The support we had throughout the various stages of this professional training Program was exceptional".

Haleema Jaber, another trainee in the Strategic Brand Planning Department of Fortune Promoseven, said that she was given the chance to work in different departments within MCN offices and this helped her gain a wealth of experience in the industry.