Tanmia provides job-oriented training to another 119 UAE nationals under 'Maharat' programme

The participants in the training programme were presented with certificates at a graduation ceremony attended by Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Awar, Director General, Tanmia; Humaid Al Qutami, General Manager, EIBFS (Emirates Institute For Banking and Financial Studies) and Michael Williams, General Manager, National Bank of Fujairah.

Participants in the training courses had high praise for Tanmia and its Maharat programme that has helped them get a good start to their career.

"Though many of us are well qualified, we had no idea of the expectations of today's employers and the job market," said Anne Risa Al Naqi, one of the participants. "These intensive training sessions gave us the knowledge, skills and attitude required to perform well in our job. The training has also enabled us to put into practice our academic learning. I am thankful to Tanmia for giving me the opportunity to work in the banking sector. "

"I would like to thank Tanmia for initiating the Maharat programme which is very useful for UAE nationals about to enter the job market," said Faisal Al Zarooni, another participant. "I graduated two years ago but was unable to obtain work due to lack of guidance and training. Today, thanks to Tanmia I am able to start my first job with an insurance company. The training course I have attended was excellent and provided specific and job oriented courses. It has also helped me gain confidence on the job."

Tanmia's Maharat programme helps enhance the competencies and skills of UAE national job-seekers in diverse fields, including Banking, Insurance, Sales and Marketing, Secretarial and Office Management, Business English, Information Technology and International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL). Under the unique programme, Tanmia works with private and government employers to enroll potential candidates in a partner training institute for customized training.

"The Maharat programme has been designed to groom nationals to take up jobs in specific sectors. It has helped hundreds of nationals to perform better at the workplace, because the training is customized to meet the requirements of employers. The Maharat programme has now entered a more aggressive phase as a result of Tanmia's attempts to widen the support of organizations from the private and the public sectors," said Dr. Al- Awar.

The latest training course, implemented by Tanmia at an approximate cost of Dhs. 800,000, has enabled 45 of the trainees to find placements with the National Bank of Umm Al Quwain, National Bank of Fujairah and some companies from the insurance sector. The rest are in the process of being employed by other banks and insurance companies.

Dr. Al-Awar said Tanmia was poised to play a bigger role in the Emiratisation process over the next few months, boosted by the strong pro-Emiratisation trend seen in the private and public sectors. He thanked the participating companies from the banking and insurance sectors for supporting the Maharat programme and other initiatives of Tanmia.

Al Qutami appreciated the earnest efforts made by Tanmia in introducing the Maharat scheme for National jobseekers. "Tanmia has spearheaded this vital movement to improve the prospects of nationals in the UAE job market. The several initiatives launched by Tanmia have seen significant improvement in the Emiratisation process, and this year we expect Tanmia to make further progress in accelerating the penetration of UAE nationals in all sectors of the economy." He also thanked the National Bank of Umm Al Quwain and National Bank of Fujairah for giving the young nationals an opportunity to prove themselves at the workplace.

Michael Williams praised the role played by Tanmia in providing customized training to the selected UAE nationals, and welcomed the new recruits. "This programme has given the young trainees a proper base to start their first job and apply the concepts they have learned at the training center. They should look at this training as the first step toward lifelong learning, for today's market demands constant upgrade of knowledge and skills."

Tanmia held another graduation ceremony recently under the Maharat initiative, at the office of Compubase Dubai, for 26 trainees who successfully completed the five-month International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL) program. The ceremony was attended by Ayesh Al Barguthi, Director-Employment and Skills Development Centre, and Saif Al Noaimi, Head of Job Seekers Unit.