Etihad Rail signs MoU with Abu Dhabi Vocational Education & Training Institute

-Etihad Rail and Etihad Rail DB to provide UAE Nationals with vocational training for the rail industry-

Abu Dhabi, UAE, 18 May 2016: Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE's national rail network has today co-signed with Etihad Rail DB, the operations and maintenance joint-venture for Stage One of the UAE’s national railway network,a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Abu Dhabi Vocational Education & Training Institute (ADVETI). The MoU creates opportunities for occupational training and shared learning for students seeking qualifications inthe UAE’s rail industry. 

The MoU was signed by Eng. Faris Saif Al Mazrouei, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Rail, Eng. ShadiMalak, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Rail DB, and Dr. Abdul Rahman JassimHammadi, ADVETI Managing Director. Also present at the signing ceremony was the Chairman of ADVETI and Minister of Education HE Hussain Al Hammadi.In support of UAE Vision 2021, whichfacilitates a national transition into a globally competitive and knowledge-based economy with capabilities across multiple sectors, the agreement will help develop the academic and intellectual aptitude of Emiratis who intend to pursue careers in the UAE’s rail industry.

“This agreement is of great significance, as it catalyses specialized training opportunities and vocational education for Emiratis in line with the goals of UAE’s Emiratisation policy” said Eng. Faris Saif Al Mazrouei, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Rail. 

“We look forward to a longstanding strategic partnership between our three entities, which will witness the academic development and professional training of our nationals for opportunities in the fast-evolving railway industry. Etihad Rail is a driving force behind efforts that contribute to the UAE’s railway transportation sector, with ongoingcombined efforts coupled with enhancing the industry’s human capital at the cornerstone of the nation’s workforce and future socio-economic growth,” Eng. Al Mazrouei added. 

“The Etihad Rail DB vision brought together a team that best combines local talent and knowledge with the international best practice and expertise from Europe’s largest railway operator, and the success of this vision has been demonstrated through our management of Stage One operations and maintenance thus far. With that said, the critical role of UAE Nationals in driving the growth and prosperity of the rail industry from one generation to another is undeniable.

Etihad Rail DB is proud to lead this evolution, and our team looks forward to cultivating the skills of the first generation of Emirati rail professionals,” added Etihad Rail DB Acting CEO ShadiMalak.

Dr.Abdul Rahman Jassim Hammadi, ADVETI Managing Director said: “This MoU will serve the UAE national workforce by deploying a great number of Emirati students who will join Etihad Rail as maintenance & Mechanical Technicians.  In addition, our students are known for their high standard of technical knowledge & hands-on training.  The main purpose of ADVETI is to graduate students who are demanded by the job market according to the geographical distribution, and this project is initiated in the Western Region so that our students there will benefit by enrolling into this important program.”

ADVETI, established in 2007 by royal decree as an initiative of the Abu Dhabi Government, specialises in vocational education and training, and offers a wide range of accredited multi-disciplinary vocational qualifications based on national and international qualifications framework. The MoU seeks to combine efforts between ADVETI, Etihad Rail and Etihad Rail DB in advancing Emirati capabilities and skills in rail-related business operations.

The Etihad Rail project is being delivered in three key stages of development, with the rail network spanning approximately 1,200 kilometres across the UAE once complete. Designed to provide both freight and passenger services, the network will connect urban and peripheral communities, foster trade and economic development across all Emirates and principle areas of trade within the UAE. The network will also form a vital part of the GCC Railway Network, linking the UAE to Saudi Arabia Ghweifat in the West and Oman through Al Ain in the East.