GTZ Expands Services on Vocational Training in the Middle East

Vocational Education and Training Institutes in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Since September 2008, GTZ International Services (IS) has been commissioned by the Abu Dhabi Education Council to implement a project entitled “Vocational Education and Training Institutes in Al Ain & Al Gharbia”. 

The project aims to prepare young Emiratis to perform more effectively in the UAE workforce. The project aims to enhance the ’job readiness’ of graduates, through a series of hands-on vocational education and training programmes linked to the globally renowned German dual system.
 
In September 2008, two Vocational Education and Training Institutes (VETI) were established in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Due to GTZ’s vast experience in the field of vocational education, GTZ International Services was contracted to manage and staff these Institutes for three years. The Institutes provide a wide range of diplomas for Emirati students in four vocational fields: Information Technology, Design & Applied Management, Industrial Technology and Medical & Health Care. The diplomas will be taught and offered based on existing German standards in vocational education.

University For Vocational Teacher Training in Saudi Arabia 

On 20 May, the Vocational Training Authority of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, TVTC, and GTZ International Services (IS) signed a contract for a new project for vocational teacher training.  The project will train qualified teachers and trainers who represent the key to building the capabilities of young people to perform effectively in the workforce of the future.

From September 2009, GTZ International Services will establish and put into operation a new university for vocational teacher training in Riyadh. Over 1,000 young Saudi Arabians will take a three-year course taught in English to become vocational school teachers, mainly in technical subjects such as electronics and electrical engineering, information technology, process engineering and mechanics, management and business administration. GTZ IS will also provide the teaching and managerial staff recruited in Saudi Arabia, in other Arabic-speaking countries and in Europe, including Germany. The project has an initial term of three years.