Abu Dhabi Tawteen Council launched an innovative recruitment program to provide training and job opportunities for 215 national job seekers in the banking sector which is one of the most important economic sectors in the UAE.
The program was launched in cooperation with several pioneering national banks in Abu Dhabi. The initial list of banks include Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Abu Dhabi National Bank, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank and Hilal Bank. This program was named "Dirasati" and was realized in cooperation with Emirates Institute for Financial and Banking Studies (EIFBS).
The agreement was signed by H.E. Abdullah Saeed Al Darmaki, Director General of Tawteen on behalf of Tawteen, Mr. Jamal Al Jasmi on behalf of the EIFBS, Mrs Manal Sayegh- Head of Recruitment &manpower planning on behalf of Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank,Mss Ruwaida Saeed Shahbal- SENIOR Vice President HR ,on behalf of Abu Dhabi National Bank, Mr. Tirad Mahmoud- CEO of Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, and Mr. Mohamed Jamil Berro- CEO of Al Hilal Bank.
"Dirasati" is one of the advanced academic programs offered by EIFBS after consulting participating entities to meet the demands of operating banks in the UAE. As per the program, registered nationals will be offered immediate employment contracts besides monthly financial incentives and rewards for outstanding academic performance above 90%. Students will join the banking sector upon graduation with a starting salary of AED 12,000. Banks will offer a practical training for graduates in their Abu Dhabi branches with an option to choose the department they wish to join in line with banks’ needs.
Tawteen will nominate a number of male and female nationals registered in its data base provided that their high school score is above 60%. Tawteen will select 215 nationals from Abu Dhabi and Al Ain to join traditional banking and the Islamic Banking diploma both of which are accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. The study duration is 4 to 5 semesters as well as 8 weeks of summer practical training. Each student will study 25 hours per week.
Abu Dhabi Tawteen Council will organize an open day at EIBFS where students will have a chance to meet representatives of 4 banks as well as recruitment consultants who will give induction on the program and perks offered by the banks.
Commenting on the program, H.E. Abdullah Saeed Al Darmaki, Director General of Tawteen emphasized that the program is highly supported by the country’s wise leadership who is keen to provide a prosperous life for citizens. He also said that the leadership wished to see nationals taking jobs in different sectors to contribute to the boom in the UAE.
He also said that the banking sector was one of the important sectors supporting the economic development in the countries. The sector contributes to 4% of the non-oil domestic production of Abu Dhabi as per the National Center of Statistics in 2008. The support of the leadership to this sector resulted in increasing the number of operating banks in the UAE to 51 banks according to central bank statistics with more than 911 branches in different emirates.
Al Darmaki added that the big number in bank branches would naturally require a large human capital to be able to offer services to the public. That was the main motive behind Tawteen launching "Dirasati" program in collaboration with EIBFS and other national banks to train and recruit 215 national job seekers. This initiative will be a start of a long term program to qualify nationals wishing to join the banking sector which is one of the strategic sectors in the country.
Referring to the 34.4% increase in emiratization percentage by 2009, Al Damraki said that Tawteen would work with national banks in Abu Dhabi to achieve higher emiratization percentage especially with the great support offered by Abu Dhabi government.
Al Darmaki explained that Tawteen would continue its strive to offer sustainable jobs for UAE nationals in the public and private sectors. He expected that "Dirasati" program would increase the percentage of nationals working in the financial sector 0.8% as they constitute 10% recently out of the 25,269 employees working in this sector.
He called other banks operating in the UAE, especially foreign ones, to fulfill their social responsibilities through their participation in such initiatives aiming at increasing the number of nationals in the banking sector.
H.E. Jamal Al Jasmi, General Manager of EIBFS, expressed his hope to see more banks joining this initiative which was in line with the emiratization vision. He urged banks operating in the UAE to sponsor some national high school graduates and offer them training and job opportunities which would eventually lead to an increase in the emiratization process.
Al Jasmi stressed the importance of Dirasati program and called for implementing it in the banking, insurance and financing sector in the UAE.
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