Third MAHARAT Training programme begins

More than 50 UAE national men and women have enrolled for the 9-week job-linked and stipend-based training programme that will qualify them for a budding career with Dubai's booming hospitality industry.

The programme contents include English language; hotel business communication, hotel interpersonal and team skills workshops; introduction to the hospitality industry; core hospitality industry workplace skills, introduction to hotel departments, job categories and job competencies.

Mr. Ibrahim Yaqoot, DTCM Manager Human Resources and Chairman of ETFT, said: "We see bright prospects for the UAE nationals in the tourism industry. We are complementing the government efforts towards the Emiratisation programme. We take pride that we are working towards offering new career opportunities for the UAE nationals."

Mr. Yaqoot who addressed the orientation programme of the third MAHARAT training course called upon the students to show a positive attitude, punctuality and sincerity to make the best of the opportunities being provided to them.

Mr. John Mowatt, Head of the Department of Centre for Tourism & Hospitality Emiratisation Research, Training & Consultanancy, Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management (EAHM) and Project Manager of the ETFT said "The success of the MAHARAT training course lies in its classroom training, field trips and training linked job outcomes that have helped inspire a greater number of UAE nationals to take up jobs with the hotel industry."

"We are continuously recruiting for the MAHARAT training courses and those interested can contact the EAHM at 04-3155555 or DTCM Head Office at 04-2230000," Mr. Mowatt added.

The ETFT is successfully creating awareness about the job opportunities suitable for the UAE nationals in the emirate's booming tourism industry.

As a result of the increased efforts of the ETFT, the number of UAE nationals working in the hotel industry has increased to around 300 in 2006 from just 15 UAE nationals in 2002.

In the first batch of the programme which concluded in December 2005, 33 UAE nationals embarked on new careers with five-star hotels in Dubai after the successfully completing the nine-week training programme. The graduation ceremony of the third MAHARAT training programme was held on the sidelines of the Career Fair in April 2006.

Two more MAHARAT training programmes will be held later this year bringing the total number of MAHARAT training programmes to five by end of 2006.

The stipend-based training programme is being been supported by ACCOR, Taj Palace, Hilton, Hyatt International Hotels and Resorts, Jebel Ali International Hotels, Jumeirah, Kempinski, Mall of the Emirates, Rotana Hotels, Suites and Resorts, Sheraton and Le Meridian. The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management (EAHM) is managing the project and conducting the training.

Dubai hotel and hotel apartments played host to record over six million guests in 2005. The number of hotel guests is projected to increase as more properties are due to open in the coming months.