Aligned with the objectives of the National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology and Nafis, the ICV Apprentice Program is designed to empower Emirati talent by honing their skills across diverse sectors. Its initial phase will focus on preparing 50 young Emiratis to thrive in the UAE job market. As an integral part of the National ICV Program, this initiative contributes to MoIAT’s efforts in fostering a self-sufficient industrial sector.
Omar Al Suwaidi, the Undersecretary of MoIAT and Chairman of the National Committee for the In-Country Value Program, highlighted the significance of strengthening local talent in the private sector for the UAE’s sustainable development. The ICV Apprentice Program, under the umbrella of Nafis’ Khebra initiative, will offer Emirati undergraduates opportunities for training in ICV certification and financial auditing.
MoIAT intends to collaborate with strategic partners and certifying bodies to equip UAE talent with the essential skills needed to excel in the job market. The ICV Apprentice Program represents an extension of the training and development efforts that support Emiratization under the National ICV Program.
The National ICV Program is a vital component of Operation 300bn, which aims to advance the UAE’s industrial sector, enhance local supply chains’ growth and sustainability, and create high-quality job opportunities while encouraging the adoption of advanced technologies.
Notably, in 2022, the program contributed to redirecting over AED 53 billion into the national economy, marking a 25 percent increase compared to the previous year. As of the second quarter of 2023, ICV-certified companies in the private sector employed 13,440 Emiratis. Additionally, the Industrialists Program, a recent collaboration between MoIAT, the Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratization, and Nafis, offers 500 training and job opportunities specifically designed to empower Emirati talent in the industrial sector.
Ghannam Al Mazrouei, the Secretary-General of the UAE Talent Competitiveness Council (Nafis), emphasized the importance of the Apprentice Program and commended the partnership between MoIAT and the private sector. He stressed the need for experienced Emirati talent specializing in the ICV Program to ensure companies’ compliance with certification standards through audits and assessments.
The Nafis program encompasses financial and technical initiatives supporting Emiratization in the private sector, with Khebra focusing on training and upskilling local talent. The collaboration between MoIAT, the Council, and certifying bodies aims to enhance the competencies and technical capabilities of Emiratis related to ICV certification.
The ICV Apprentice Program, aimed at undergraduates, provides participants with an intensive three-month training program in collaboration with 25 ICV certifying bodies. During the training program, participants will also receive monthly stipends from Nafis.
The National ICV Program, a part of “Projects of the 50,” plays a vital role in boosting the national GDP, promoting the localization of supply chains, and encouraging public entities and major companies to support local industries, thereby contributing to the growth of the UAE economy. ICV-certified companies gain a competitive advantage in procurement processes, further fostering business growth.
