The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology has launched the second edition of the National Youth Professionals Program. This initiative aims to build the capabilities of young national talents in the fields of standardization and conformity assessment. The launch event was attended by Khaled Al Nuaimi, Director General of the Federal Youth Authority, along with Dr. Farah Al Zarouni, Assistant Undersecretary for Standardization Affairs, and Salama Al Awadhi, Assistant Undersecretary for Industrial Development at the ministry.

The program was introduced during the Youth Council of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology’s Ramadan gathering in Dubai, which was organized in collaboration with the Federal Youth Authority. The event featured a discussion on empowering Emirati youth in quality infrastructure, titled “A Youth Perspective on an Innovative Industrial Future”. Participants discussed the contributions of youth to the “Made in the UAE” initiative during previous editions and highlighted their essential role in the upcoming larger version of the program, scheduled for May 19-22 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).

Khaled Al Nuaimi emphasized the UAE’s commitment to providing all necessary tools to empower youth in enhancing their skills and capabilities. This aligns with the National Youth Agenda 2031, which aims for Emirati youth to become global role models across various national priority sectors. He noted that the Federal Youth Authority firmly believes that youth are the cornerstone of development and innovation, and building qualified national cadres is crucial for driving growth and establishing a prosperous and sustainable society.

In response to this initiative, Dr. Farah Al Zarouni stated that the UAE places youth at the heart of its national development strategy. She explained that empowering youth in quality infrastructure is essential for enhancing national capabilities in standardization and competitiveness, especially in light of the fact that the UAE has moved up six spots to fifth place globally in the Quality Infrastructure Development Index for Sustainable Development 2024, as reported by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).

Al Zarouni also mentioned that all government teams are working to equip youth with the knowledge and tools necessary for skill development across various sectors. Aisha Saqar Al Suwaidi, Chair of the Youth Council at the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, reaffirmed the council’s commitment to collaborating with the Federal Youth Authority and other youth councils nationwide to support and empower young Emirati talents. She emphasized that these efforts reflect the leadership’s directives that prioritize and support youth, recognizing their pivotal role in enhancing the competitiveness of the industrial and advanced technology sectors at both local and international levels.

Al Suwaidi highlighted the event’s focus on encouraging youth to participate in designing the larger and more comprehensive edition of the “Made in the UAE” forum. She noted the importance of spotlighting available opportunities in the industrial sector, educating them on how to contribute to the growth and competitiveness of national industries. The second edition of the National Youth Professionals Program aims to qualify young Emirati talents and equip them with knowledge and practical experience in technical and industrial fields, thereby enhancing their role in building a sustainable future for the industry in the UAE.

The National Youth Professionals Program is executed under the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, in collaboration with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Last year, 11 young Emirati professionals graduated from the program, contributing to strengthening the quality infrastructure system, which supports the growth and competitiveness of national industries and services.