du's Work Skills Training Programme 2013 teaches 150 Emiratis career-boosting essentials

The vocationally-focused programme is part of Du's efforts to promote the social aspect of sustainability in the UAE, and will teach students from several local universities essential workplace skills.

Participating universities - American University of Sharjah; United Arab Emirates (UAE) University; Higher Colleges of Technology; Khalifa University in both Abu Dhabi and Sharjah; Zayed University; University of Sharjah; American University in the Emirates, and Abu Dhabi University - each nominated students to join the programme.

Work Skills Training Programme courses will be held every Saturday until 23 March, hosted by Du in Dubai, Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi and UAE University in Al Ain. Training will be provided in collaboration with four learning partners: Ideas Management, Abami, ProTraining and SpearHead.

Students in the programme will have the chance to meet and interact with corporate trainers, who will teach them essential soft skills that are essential in the workplace, giving them a boost to their future careers. Upon completion, students are presented with a certificate during a Graduation Ceremony.

"Our Work Skills Training Programme is a way of giving back to the UAE, by nurturing the next generation of Emirati business leaders. Each Work Skills graduate will have the ability to become a positive contributor in their chosen career, which will foster workplace sustainability and, in turn, will drive the UAE's economy through better business efficiency," said Jamal Khalifa Lootah, Senior Director National Recruitment and Development, Du.

"As a company with sustainability firmly established at our core, we are proud to play our part in empowering the talented Emiratis who represent the future of our country. That is why the program's participants have no obligation to join Du after completing the course," he added.

Salem Al Ali, a student from American University in the Emirates who participated in the first Work Skills Training Programme 2013 session, said, "Interpersonal Communication was an extraordinary course that allowed me to develop and enhance my communication skills within a workplace."

Courses that are included in the Work Skills Training Programme include Writing a Professional Resume and Planning a Job Search; Think on Your Feet; Cultural Diversity in the Workplace; Interview Skills; Business Etiquette; Time Management; Interpersonal Communication, and Problem Solving and Decision-Making.