The National Human Resources Development and Employment Authority (Tanmia) announced that the first batch of National jobseekers with special needs who underwent a job training course conducted by Tanmia in association with the Al Thiqah Club in Sharjah, have successfully graduated and have found suitable employment opportunities.
Jobseekers with various disabilities were presented certificates for completing the three-month training course, at a graduation ceremony attended by Sheikh Mohammed bin Saqr Al Qassimi, Chairman of Al Thiqah Club, Marwan Al Sawaleh, Acting Director General, Tanmia and Dr. Abdullah Al-Karam, Manager of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Information Technology Education Project. The graduation ceremony was held yesterday, (Monday, 25th July, 2005) at the Al Thiqah Club auditorium.
The training programme, which began in April this year, provided training to job seekers with special needs through customized courses in English language, computer skills, and basic communication techniques such as dealing with customers and telephone etiquette. The first half of the programme was used for imparting skills, while the second half provided training in centers affiliated with Al Thiqah Club.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Saqr Al Qassimi said, “Al Thiqah Club has been playing a major role in developing the capabilities of handicapped people in the UAE by supporting a range of projects and initiatives. We have been committed in our efforts to not only provide employment to people with disabilities, but also to encourage entrepreneurial skills among them. We are glad to have partnered with Tanmia to provide specialised job training to these individuals, who have the potential to significantly contribute to the development of the nation’s economy.”
“Tanmia’s Emiratisation drive is not restricted to enhancing employment opportunities of able-bodied people, and equally focuses on improving the career prospects of individuals with disabilities,” said Marwan Al Sawaleh. “We strongly believe that people with disabilities can contribute immensely by being part of the UAE labour force. What they require most is a boost of confidence and the best way to provide this is by empowering them with the required skill sets that can help them at the workplace.”
“Proficiency in English language has gained paramount importance in today’s multi-cultural and competitive business environment. Training these National jobseekers in English language skills will give them an edge in the job market, irrespective of their disabilities. Similarly, the huge dependence on computers and internet at the workplace requires us to provide basic IT training to people with handicaps. Knowledge of computers tremendously opens up the employment opportunities for these jobseekers as a number of jobs require the use of computers,” added Al Sawaleh.
Tanmia bore the costs of training as well as assisted the candidates in finding placements in the public and private sector companies. Most of the graduates have been employed in the Sharjah Municipality, Dubai Courts, the UAE Marriage Fund and the United Arab Bank.
The participants in the programme had disabilities ranging from hearing impairment, lack of mobility to brain damage. Apart from Al Theqqa Club, there were other organizations associated with the project. The IT course was offered in partnership with the HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum IT Educational Project, while the English course was offered in association with Higher Colleges of Technology.
“Tanmia sincerely thanks Al Thiqah Club and all the other organisations that were associated with us in the project, for their support and cooperation in not only providing training to these jobseekers but also in facilitating their employment in suitable jobs. We look forward to similar efforts from other companies in the private and public sector, as we strive to provide the best employment opportunities for UAE Nationals,” concluded Al Sawaleh.
About Tanmia:
Tanmia, the National Human Resource Development & Employment Authority in the UAE, was established by a Presidential decree in November 1999, to address the imbalance in the labour market, due to excessive dependence on expatriate workforce. Tanmia is engaged in a coordinating role, between national job seekers and employers in the private and gaovernment sectors, to facilitate increased entry of nationals in the labour market. The responsibilities that rest with the Authority are: to set up the overall policy of the Authority and supervise its implementation, conduct sustained operational and administrative labour market studies and analysis, provide career counseling and guidance to the national work force, follow-up and evaluate employment of nationals in public and private sectors, support small investment enterprises through the establishment of self-employment projects for national human resources and develop programmes for training and qualifying nationals seeking employment, in conformity with the labour market needs.
