Abu Dhabi: As the UAE needs 10 people with vocational skills for every university graduate to achieve a sustainable and diversified knowledge-based economy, the country focuses on building a national system to ensure quality technical and vocational education and training (TVET) systems, experts told TVET Week 2015 yesterday.

More than 4,600 young Emiratis graduated from the Abu Dhabi Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ACTVET) between 2010 and 2013, became successfully employed, and are now well on their way to building fruitful careers, said Mubarak Al Shamsi, ACTVET Director-General.

“We are giving young citizens the opportunity to discover alternative pathways to careers and professions. The TVET Week 2015 provides students, parents and employers with the opportunity to learn more about our national training system and the numerous career pathways available,” Al Shamsi told the first TVET Week being held from January 18 to 22, with the participation of high-ranking officials, businessmen, representatives of the private sector, and local and international academics.

The Week is meant to introduce students to the importance of technical and vocational education, and job opportunities awaiting them in the labour market in the near and far future, and to present the latest scientific trends and tracks available at the specialised educational institutions of ACTVET in all emirates.

Al Shamsi added Emiratisation tops the priorities of the UAE Government and it is understood that businesses require a higher number of skilled Emiratis within the workforce to have a more positive impact on the economy.

“Vocational and technical education is a great platform for students who aspire to succeed but experience challenges with academic studies. An efficient, flexible training system helps young Emiratis build the skills they need to get the jobs they want. For businesses, it means increased productivity and growth. This has never been more important as the remarkable growth focuses on skills development,” Al Shamsi said.

Dr Thani Al Muhairi, Director-General of the National Qualifications Authority, said the Vocational Education and Training Awards Commission (VETAC) was set up to manage and coordinate the vocational, technical and professional education and training sector in the UAE.

“In consultation with key stakeholders, VETAC is responsible for building a flexible, responsive and quality assured modern industry-led national vocational education and training system that includes improved labour-market integration and information management, development of planned policies and initiatives, and establishment of industry-led advisory systems,” Dr Al Muhairi said.

He added VETAC is also tasked with ensuring vocational education and training equip individuals with information about work, careers, career pathways and career prospects and licensing and accrediting organisations to deliver national qualifications and awards.

Dr Anna Paolini, Director of the Unesco office in Doha and Representative to the Gulf region, spoke of the importance of technical and vocational education and training in light of the fact that around 200 million new jobs are needed over the next five years to keep pace with the growing working-age population in emerging and developing countries.

Denise Amyot, President and CEO of Colleges and Institutes, Canada, spoke of the Canadian TVET model and said Canada considers TVET essential for all citizens to actively engage in the country’s knowledge-based economy.

She said the mission of TVET along with the whole Canadian education system is to provide students with high-quality learning opportunities and the required skills to enter the labour market. “TVET programmes are therefore aligned to the needs of the labour market for the different populations and age groups.”

TVET Week 2015

The TVET Week 2015 includes distinct events, including the gathering of young Emirati people and parents with a group of experts, businessmen, and specialists in successful industrial sectors, to provide a technical consultancy service and answer all inquiries related to technical and vocational education, and its career future, so as to guide the citizens and make them aware of the requirements of the labour market, and help them discover the current and future employment opportunities that are commensurate with their specialties and interests, according to Al Shamsi.

The week, Al Shamsi said, will be organised in various educational and specialised institutions of Abu Dhabi Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ACTVET) in various parts of the country, including the Applied Technology Complex in Mohammad Bin Zayed City, Ajman Technical Complex, Bainouna Technical Complex in the Western Region, Applied Technology High Schools, Technical High Schools, and other institutions affiliated with the Centre.

Al Shamsi added the week will offer students and parents a full and direct opportunity to tour the campuses to learn more about the technical and vocational education programmes offered by ACTVET in all the emirates, and to meet officials and specialists in these institutions, which enhances the culture of technical education, and highlights its importance in the development of human resources, meeting the requirements of the labour market and securing appropriate and new job opportunities for the young men and women in the country.