As many as 725 UAE nationals, including a significant number of females, are working in the Dubai hotels due to the successful implementation of a nine-week Maharat Hospitality training programme by the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) as the department stated. The hotels that employ the Emiratis are five-star properties managed mostly by global hotel chains.

The job-linked training scheme came up for a review at a meeting of the Emiratatisation Task Force for Tourism (ETFT), which functions under the aegis of the DTCM, held in Dubai on January 23.

The meeting was chaired by Mr. Ibrahim Yaqoot, DTCM Executive Director of Human Resources and Training Solutions and ETFT Chairman. The ETFT meeting debated on the 2008 plans for the ETFT and the ways and means to take the programme further to newer heights.

Mr. Ibrahim said the response to the scheme from both the UAE national job-seekers and the participating hotels has been overwhelming, enabling the programme’s successful expansion in the coming years.

He said the programme has not only helped in attracting young nationals for the select jobs but also helped cleared misconceptions about the hotel industry jobs.

The Maharat Hospitality training programme graduates underwent nine-week training in different aspects of hospitality industry. Among the hotels which support this programme include Accor, Hyatt International, Jebel Ali International, Jumeirah, Rotana, Shangri-La, Sheraton, Dusit, InterContinental, Fairmont, Hilton, Kempenski Mall of the Emirates, Le Royal Meridien. These properties are part of the Emiratisation Task Force for Tourism.

The programme has the strong support of Emirates Nationals Development Programme (ENDP), National Human Resources Development and Employment Authority (TANMIA) and Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management (EAHM).

"From just 15 AE nationals in 2002, the number of UAE nationals working in the hotel industry has crossed the 700 mark. The ETFT, created in the year 2002, will help UAE nationals through the programme obtain employment opportunities. The ETFT intends to run up to five Hospitality Industry Maharat programmes per year to significantly boost the employment of UAE nationals in hotels," said Mr. Ibrahim Yaqoot.