The Dubai College of Tourism has announced the launch of the ‘Industry Nationalisation initiative’, a new Emiratisation initiative, as part of its ongoing efforts to encourage young UAE nationals to become part of Dubai’s rapidly expanding tourism industry.

The recruitment, training and industry on-boarding programmes aims to increase the number of Emiratis in tourist-facing roles by the year 2020.

Tasked with attracting, training and hiring 500 Emiratis, the Industry Nationalisation initiative targets various groups, including high school graduates, university students, as well as job seekers in the UAE.

While increasing awareness of Dubai’s tourism sector amongst Emiratis, the initiative also offers strong career options in different interests across the sector. In addition, by developing the skills of young UAE nationals and placing them in tourist-facing roles, the programme will also help create a more indigenous experience for tourists, in turn enhancing the city’s tourism offering.

Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General, Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Dubai Tourism, said, "We are committed to nurturing the next generation of UAE nationals, developing them into ambassadors for our city, who symbolise Dubai’s role as a connector of cultures. This latest endeavour by the Dubai College of Tourism enables us to not only coach those with potential but also create more opportunities for qualified Emirati nationals in the tourism industry. In line with Dubai Tourism’s Vision of attracting 20 million visitors by 2020, there is an even greater demand for talented Emirati youth, and we aim to use this initiative as a platform to build future leaders, adding to the sustainability and growth of our industry."

Dr. Abdulla Al Karam, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director General of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, KHDA, said, "We welcome this partnership with Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing. It will offer aspiring Emirati job seekers with increased career opportunities in the hospitality sector. The partnership comes as part of our continued effort to achieve goals outlined in UAE national agenda, with a focus on increasing participation of UAE nationals in the private sector. More than 14,000 UAE nationals have been employed as part of the Emirates National Development Programme. As we get closer to Expo 2020, this initiative will play an important role towards creating a happier future for all."

The initiative currently comprises four steps, starting with Talent Acquisition through a variety of sourcing tools including social media and outreach to schools and universities, followed by a series of Career Days to conduct interviews and assess potential candidates. The second phase, Talent Development, involves 2-4 month training programmes tailored to high school and university graduates, with 75 participants per batch, to be held over the course of 12-14 months.