Reinforcing the central role of human capital in sustainable development, the Emirati Human Resources Development Council (EHRDC) has launched the flagship edition of the ‘Dubai Ambition’ initiative, a first-of-its-kind programme designed to enhance national talent readiness and expand Emirati participation in the private sector.
The launch took place on the sidelines of the Dubai Emiratisation Forum, held under the theme ‘Solid Partnerships for Sustainable Development’.
The initiative marks a significant milestone in Dubai’s ongoing efforts to advance Emiratisation and build a future-ready workforce by embedding sustainability, skills development, and long-term employment outcomes into a single, integrated framework.
‘Dubai Ambition’ aims to empower Emirati students and graduates by equipping them with the skills, experience, and exposure required to succeed in the evolving labour market. The initiative brings together government entities, educational institutions, and private-sector employers within a unified ecosystem that supports sustainable career pathways and strengthens alignment between education and market needs.
By expanding private-sector employment opportunities for Emiratis, the initiative directly contributes to Dubai’s broader sustainable development objectives, ensuring economic growth is underpinned by inclusive and resilient human capital.
His Excellency Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansoori, Chairman of EHRDC, emphasised that the initiative reflects the Council’s long-term vision to create integrated talent pathways that begin with early awareness, progress through high-quality practical training, and culminate in sustainable employment opportunities within the private sector.
“At EHRDC, we believe that strategic partnerships are fundamental to nurturing capable national talents who can keep pace with economic transformations and contribute to strengthening Dubai’s competitiveness and knowledge-based economy. The launch of ‘Dubai Ambition’ represents a significant step forward in advancing Emiratisation, enhancing human development objectives, and establishing a sustainable model of collaboration between the public and private sectors.”
By 2026, the initiative aims to achieve a set of integrated, outcome-driven targets, including:
• Raising career awareness among 10,000 Emirati students
• Providing practical training opportunities for 10,000 Emirati students and graduates within private-sector institutions
• Facilitating the employment of 5,000 Emirati citizens in the private sector
These targets are designed to create clear, sustainable career pathways while strengthening the alignment between educational outputs and labour-market requirements.
The initiative was launched with the participation of 20 leading entities from across the Emirate, representing sectors including finance, aviation, telecommunications, real estate, retail, transport, and professional services. Participating organisations include Emirates Institute of Finance, Dubai Land Department, Emirates Global Aluminium, Emirates NBD, Emirates, flydubai, du, Etisalat, Majid Al Futtaim Group, Al-Futtaim Group, Chalhoub Group, KPMG, Azizi Group, Keolis, and the Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group, among others.
This broad partnership base reflects a shared commitment to supporting Emiratisation, sustainable workforce development, and long-term economic growth.
‘Dubai Ambition’ supports the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) and the UAE Centennial 2071, placing people at the centre of economic and social development. The initiative represents a shift from standalone programmes to a collaborative, outcome-focused model that prioritises practical training, quality employment, and long-term workforce resilience.
The Dubai Emiratisation Forum further reinforced the importance of collaboration between educators and employers, highlighting the need to align training programmes with real-world labour-market demands to ensure graduates are equipped to adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing economy.