Gargash Group Announces first of its kind Technical Talent Program for UAE Nationals, in line with “Projects of the 50”

iStar Technical Apprenticeship will be the second program under Gargash Group’s overarching Emiratization drive

Dubai-UAE, 29 September 2021: Gargash Group, one of the leading business conglomerates in the UAE, has launched iStar Technical Apprenticeship, a unique training and recruitment initiative for UAE Nationals under its Gargash automotive arm. Aimed at giving local talent a platform to explore careers in the automobile industry, this program is the second project under the Group’s overarching Emiratization drive. 
The announcement comes swiftly in line with the Government’s recently announced vision to increase the number of Emiratis employed within the private sector and boosting the UAE’s human capital. 

Designed to develop key skills in Emiratis entering the private sector, the eight months program is open to all fresh graduates as well as working professionals. During the internship, the trainees will be given world-class professional training and hands-on experience in real client engagements. Mentored under experienced managers and professionals, the interns will be equipped with the necessary skills and experience that will aid their long-term professional journey. 
Commenting on the announcement, Shehab Gargash, Managing Director and Group CEO of Gargash Group, said: “The recently announced initiative by the UAE’s leadership to promote Emiratis to become a significant contributor in a rapidly expanding private sector economy, is a significant milestone. As a company that has always been committed to the Government’s long term Emiratization goals, we are well positioned to mobilize this new internship program instantaneously in response to the recent announcement”. 

For his part, Ahmed Khizer Khan, Chief Executive Officer, Financial Services Vertical at Gargash added: “Our new technical program has been developed to attract young professionals and offer them a learning platform that will enable them to embrace new skills and learn key expertise. Today, the UAE has a budding private sector and as one of the prominent business groups, we seek to build the next generation of Emirati talent and provide the best for them in the current and future business landscape.” 

Expecting a rebound next year within the automobile industry, Gargash Group forecasts the need for a well-informed workforce that understands the fundamental and technical aspects of the business to cater to a diverse customer mix. This market understanding has prompted Gargash Group to include iStar Technical Apprenticeship, as part of its wider strategy to build a robust talent pool. 

To ensure the efficacy of the program, Gargash Group will work with Abu Dhabi Vocational Education and Training Institute (ADVETI) to develop a strategic plan that will enables them to design programs for emerging competencies. ADVETI will also follow up the progress of the specific study and training plan which students must complete before their graduation with a special focus on technical expertise.

Maktoum Rashed Obaid Sultan Al Kaabi, VEDC principal, of the Abu Dhabi Vocational Education & Training Institute, added, “Further to the Government’s initiative for the region, we are proud to partner with Gargash Motors to establish an efficient and flexible training system that will empower young Emiratis build relevant skills to coincide with new and emerging technologies in the automotive sector. This is part of the Institute's ongoing efforts towards creating opportunities for developing vocational education and training programs through partnership based joint strategies in the country.”

Since its inception in 1918, Gargash has been an active advocate for Emirati representation in the workforce and has ensured this is practiced across different verticals under the Group. 

Gargash has been recognized for this very effort and was named one of the “Top 5 Companies Hiring UAE Nationals” by the Ministry of Labour in early 2019 for being at the forefront of Emiratization with numbers among the highest in the private sector.