Dubai Crown Prince honour DTCM for Maharat scheme

Ibrahim Yaqoot, DTCM Executive Director Human Resources and Training Solutions and Chairman of Emiraisation Task Force for Tourism (ETFT), received the memento from Sheikh Hamdan at a ceremony organised by the Emirates Nationals Development Programme (ENDP) in Dubai on February 19.

Also present were Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) Executive Director Media Relations and Acting Director Business Development, Eyad Ali Abdul Rahman.

As many as 725 UAE nationals, including a significant number of females, are working in the Dubai hotels due to the successful implementation of a nine-week Maharat Hospitality training programme by the DTCM).

The hotels that employ the Emiratis are five-star properties managed mostly by global hotel chains.

Mr. Ibrahim said the response to the job-linked training scheme from both the UAE national job-seekers and the participating hotels has been overwhelming, enabling the programme's successful expansion in the coming years.

The Maharat Hospitality training programme graduates underwent nine-week training in different aspects of hospitality industry. Among the hotels which support this programme include Accor, Hyatt International, Jebel Ali International, Jumeirah, Rotana, Shangri-La, Sheraton, Dusit, InterContinental, Fairmont, Hilton, Kempenski Mall of the Emirates, Le Royal Meridien. These properties are part of the Emiratisation Task Force for Tourism.

The programme has the strong support of Emirates Nationals Development Programme (ENDP), National Human Resources Development and Employment Authority (TANMIA) and Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management (EAHM).

The ETFT, created in the year 2002, will help UAE nationals through the programme obtain employment opportunities.

ENDP announced that it helped 1,232 UAE nationals find jobs with private sector companies. The hospitality sector attracted the largest number of UAE national talent.

ENDP was established in November 2005, under the directions of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashed Al Maktoum UAE Vice-President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.

Its objective was to empower UAE nationals and provide them with knowledge and skills necessary to start a career in various aspects of national economy.

The Task Force looks forward to working in the future with both TANMIA and the Emirates Nationals Development Programme (ENDP).