QCC Receives Endorsement from National Qualifications Authority for 57 Occupational Standards in the Construction and Agriculture Sectors

Authority’s Endorsement Allows QCC to Ensure Unskilled Labor’s Efficiency and Access to Accredited Certification Programs

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 25 November 2014 - The Quality and Conformity Council (QCC) has announced that the National Qualifications Authority has endorsed 57 occupational standards applicable to the construction and agriculture sectors. The Authority’s endorsement will enable QCC to develop personnel conformity schemes to ensure that services offered by the sector’s unskilled labor force conform to the standards set by the Council.

The scheme covers construction, electro-mechanical works, installation and maintenance of air conditioning units and elevators, as well as moulding, paving and flooring, painting, roofing and pest control application in farms.

To ensure the implementation of the standards, QCC will collaborate with recognized assessment centers to develop training and examination materials to assess and validate the competency of individuals. Upon the completion of these programs, applicants will receive conformity certificates from QCC, which will serve as proof of passing a rigorous assessment process and confirm the applicants’ ability to perform the assigned tasks according to professional and quality standards.

Dr Thani, Director General of the National Qualifications Authority, said: “The quality of the standards produced by the QCC is exceptional. QCC worked closely with key stakeholders, in particular industries, to ensure these standards meet UAE labor market needs and are respected internationally.”

He also said: “The standards for the construction sector are critical to increasing the skill levels of workers. The National Qualifications Authority has identified this sector as one of the country’s priority industry sectors over the next five years.”

Abdulla Hassan Al Muaini, Executive Director of Conformity Scheme Services at QCC, said: “Our initiative to develop occupational standards in the construction and agriculture sectors will cater to the needs of the labor market in Abu Dhabi for an integrated system that validates the skills of workers in various sectors, and issues them competency certificates according to their skills and experience. This will help us build a comprehensive database about the expertise available in the market, and allow workers to improve their delivery of services."

He added: “The aim of this scheme is to increase awareness about the importance of quality in performing various jobs within the overall direction of quality infrastructure in Abu Dhabi. The endorsement of these standards articulates our efforts to support the labor market with trained and qualified workforce according to the highest international standards to achieve the Council's vision to build a sustainable local economy.”

Rashed Al Rashdi, Deputy Director General of the Regulation and Supervision Bureau, said: “This initiative is an excellent example that Abu Dhabi is taking a holistic approach in its goal to improve standards in a modern society. This is a step in the right direction to raise the level of competency among workers.”

The Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council was founded in 2009 to raise the quality of Abu Dhabi’s exports and products traded locally, while protecting the interests of the emirate’s consumers and supporting its competitive economy. The organization’s goals are achieved through enabling regulators to establish and implement product safety, legal metrology and conformity schemes. QCC also sets guidelines and benchmarks to identify and verify that the products manufactured and traded in the emirate conform to the highest quality standards.