dewa-academy-a-significant-boost-for-dubais-focus-on-emiratisation

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), in cooperation with the UK’s Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC), has launched the DEWA Academy to train and qualify young Emiratis both academically and practically in various technical and professional areas covering production, transmission and distribution of energy and water. The move supports DEWA’s strategy to build and develop its technical cadre and support Emiratisation in line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to enhance Emiratisation in the UAE. Graduates will receive their diplomas from BTEC, one of the pioneering vocational-rehabilitation entities in the world. The certificates are equivalent to the vocational high school diplomas, enabling the graduates to work in different technical fields at DEWA. “DEWA is committed to promoting Emiratisation in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and to achieving the objectives of the UAE National Agenda to develop the national competencies and skills. These efforts complement the UAE Vision 2021 to establish the UAE as one of the best countries in the world by 2021. DEWA’s strategy is to encourage and motivate Emiratisation policies. Today, DEWA is one of the leading government organisations to launch various training programmes for Emirati students who want to complete their studies on energy in the UAE or abroad,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA. “The Academy will train youth academically in technical, engineering and professional sectors and in the different technical specialisations DEWA needs to fulfil its Emiratisation strategy and meet its expansion plans to continue its leading role in meeting the water and energy needs in the Emirate,” added Al Tayer. DEWA provides scholarships for degrees in electrical engineering in collaboration with the Higher Colleges of Technology–Men’s College and the Intilaq programme at various government and private universities. It also provides scholarships for electrical and mechanical engineering degrees in collaboration with the UAE University. “We qualify Emirati young people academically and practically to play a positive role in their careers and to enhance their competitiveness in the job market. DEWA’s training programmes aim to qualify the most number of Emirati young people to fulfil the needs of the different technical departments at DEWA and to support Emiratisation plans of our prudent government,” said Al Tayer. “DEWA has adopted a plan to increase Emiratisation, and has achieved excellent results with 80.44% of UAE Nationals in senior management in the first quarter of 2014, 42.4% in middle management, and 30.94% in non-supervisory positions. Last year, we launched a scholarship programme for UAE students for bachelor degrees in renewable energy in international universities. The DEWA Academy started receiving students in the academic year 2013/2014 and aims to prepare a new generation of UAE nationals in professional disciplines. DEWA has also entered into agreements with international companies such as RWE and First Solar to train Emirati staff in Europe and the US, and to exchange experiences and best practices to support institutional excellence at DEWA,” said Al Tayer. For its partnership with First Solar, DEWA has selected the first group of Emirati engineers, through the Solar Energy Programme, launched in collaboration with Arizona State University. DEWA nominated 15 engineers to attend a two-day training programme in Dubai in the latest technologies in renewable energy. After that, they participated in a 15-day programme at Arizona State University to develop their skills in solar power technologies. Eight engineers participated in the training programme, all of whom will join DEWA upon graduation. The engineers chosen for the programme are among those responsible for the development and management of solar energy initiatives in Dubai.