UAE Launches Entrepreneurship Programme To Train 10,000 Emiratis In Essential Skills For Economic Growth

The Ministry of Economy and Tourism, in collaboration with the New Economy Academy and Ignyte, has introduced the Entrepreneurship Programme. This initiative is part of the national campaign 'The Emirates: The Startup Capital of the World,' launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. It aims to position the UAE as a global leader in entrepreneurship by empowering Emirati youth to innovate and diversify the economy.

At a press conference in Dubai, Abdulla Ahmed Al Saleh, Arif Amiri, and Dr. Laila Faridoon unveiled the programme's details. The initiative includes a three-day 'Essentials of Entrepreneurship' course and a six-day 'Complete Entrepreneurship' masterclass. These courses are designed to train 10,000 Emiratis in entrepreneurial skills, combining foundational knowledge with advanced applications for sustainable business growth.

Abdulla Ahmed Al Saleh highlighted that this programme aligns with the UAE leadership's vision to establish the country as a hub for entrepreneurship and innovation. He stated, "We believe that investing in our youth and empowering them with modern knowledge tools is the cornerstone for creating a sustainable and competitive creative economy." This initiative aims to equip Emiratis with skills to launch impactful ventures that contribute to economic diversification.

The Essentials of Entrepreneurship programme offers participants fundamental skills needed for their entrepreneurial journey. Scheduled remotely on 16th-17th November and in-person at Emirates Towers on 18th November, it covers idea generation, business model development, and pitching projects. The programme targets innovators and existing entrepreneurs looking to enhance their skills.

The Complete Entrepreneurship masterclass provides an extensive training experience covering all business stages from idea generation to growth. Held from 8th-9th December remotely and in-person from 10th-11th and 15th December at Emirates Towers, it combines theory with practical sessions. Participants will learn about market analysis, competitor strategies, marketing plans, and project pitching.

Arif Amiri emphasised the significance of this opportunity for Emirati youth. He said, "The ‘Entrepreneurship Programme’ represents a unique opportunity for Emirati youth to acquire the practical skills and technical knowledge that enable them to transform their ideas into innovative, scalable ventures." This initiative reflects confidence in Emirati capabilities while enhancing the UAE’s global standing in entrepreneurship.

Building Future Leaders

Dr. Laila Faridoon expressed her vision for equipping Emirati youth through this programme. She stated that participants will gain insights into innovation methodologies and business model development. "This is the first step towards becoming an entrepreneur," she noted. The programme aims to empower participants as key contributors to the UAE’s development journey.

The programme also addresses entrepreneurship fundamentals such as regulations, market analysis, financial planning, business model development, presentation skills, and marketing strategies. Delivered by top experts in the UAE, it enables participants to create realistic business plans and test ideas while receiving consumer feedback.

This initiative underscores DIFC's role in solidifying Dubai’s position among top cities for fintech and innovation. Attracting 10,000 participants highlights national commitment to nurturing entrepreneurs who can drive economic transformation aligned with Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) objectives.

Participants completing these programmes will receive certificates from the New Economy Academy. This recognition further cements their readiness to contribute significantly to both local and global markets through innovative ventures.

With inputs from WAM