Abu Dhabi: In efforts to promote excellence in workmanship within the UAE and develop a high degree of accuracy and precision in technical skills among young Emiratis, the fifth annual Emirates Skills National Competition was inaugurated today (Tuesday) in the capital.
Held under the patronage of Her Highness Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Supreme Chairperson of the Family Development Foundation and Chairperson of the UAE General Women’s Union, the competition will celebrate unique and exceptional home-grown talents.
Emirates Skills, which was launched in 2006, is a national and non-profit organisation that actively promotes careers in skilled trades and technologies.
Since 2008, Emirates Skills programme, which operates under the umbrella of the Abu Dhabi Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ACTVET), has been organising events, training programmes and technical career activities to raise awareness of career-based skills among young Emiratis.
“Out of over 600 online applicants, about 425 Emirati pupils, university students and employees have been chosen to demonstrate their technical and vocational skills in 19 categories in craftsmanship and technology by challenging their peers,” Ali Al Marzouqi, head of Emirates Skills, told Gulf News during the first day of the competition held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec).
“The registration is open to all male and female UAE nationals from all job opportunities and levels of study, including schools, universities, and institutes. The applicant should be a minimum 16 years old and should not exceed 20 years old. Five new categories in programming, web security, electronics and fashion technology have been added to this year’s competition,” he added.
The event will give away prestigious prizes and awards to the high performers. Three winners will be announced in each category. The first, second, and third prize winners will receive Dh12,000, Dh6,000 and Dh3,000 respectively.
The competition, which will take place at Adnec from April 23 to 25, represents a valuable opportunity for highly skilled students and youth to demonstrate their abilities. The event challenges competitors to solve problems, design systems, as well as participate in developing products.
Al Marzouqi also pointed out that this national competition will develop competitiveness among young Emiratis that will motivate them to constantly improve their skills and to strive for greater achievements.
Around 31 companies have participated at the Emirates Skills National Competition to allow participants to discover new skills, attend workshops, get career advice on technical and vocational education in the UAE and meet educators, experts and representatives of major industries.
“We are committed to helping develop young Emiratis to gain knowledge and technical skills in order to forge a career in engineering. Emirates Skills is an excellent platform for future industry leaders to demonstrate their newfound knowledge and we are looking forward to supporting this exciting competition,” Andrew Humphreys, vice-president for BAE Systems in the Middle East, said.
Underlining its commitment to supporting educational initiatives in the UAE, BAE Systems, one of the companies taking part in the event, showcased a replica of a Eurofighter Typhoon cockpit and a range of games designed to test mental agility.
Humphreys also stressed the significance of this event which encourages young Emiratis to embrace technology-based career pathways through a series of technical and vocational skills challenges.
