United Arab Emirates: A New Initiative to Promote Emiratization in the Manufacturing and Technology Industries Announced

The government of the United Arab Emirates announced a new initiative, called the “Industrialist Program,” which aims to increase the number of Emiratis in the manufacturing and technology industries to help reach the Emiratization target. Under the program, private sector employers and training institutes will provide training and upskilling to Emirati nationals to help them access skilled positions in the industrial sector. The scope of the training is expected to align with the requirements of local employers and will be coordinated by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology. The Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council (Nafis) will provide financial support to eligible private sector entities to support the implementation of such programs, and a special Emiratization committee will be established to ensure that the goals of the program have been accomplished. Participation in the initiative will help employers meet the requirements of the National In-Country Value program (ICV) certification. The ICV certificate is issued to qualifying companies in the UAE who are evaluated based on their contribution to the local economy and grants these companies an advantage during the awarding of government tenders and contracts. Employers in the affected sectors are encouraged to participate in the training programs and take advantage of the financial support provided by Nafis.