Abu Dhabi Schools Present One School One Country Plans

14 May 2017

Excitement is building across the UAE as education entities and teachers in schools find out more about WorldSkills Abu Dhabi 2017 and encourage their students to visit the event.

This October Abu Dhabi will stage the 44th WorldSkills Competition, the first time the event has been in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Hosted by the Abu Dhabi Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ACTVET), the event will serve as a catalyst in changing perceptions around vocational careers and raising awareness of the importance of skills to economic development. The event will introduce students to a range of new and exciting career paths in vocational skills.

The education team at WSAD2017 has been visiting schools and teachers throughout the UAE to explain what their students will gain from WSAD 2017 and how schools can arrange a visit.

The teacher briefings, now in their second round, have received an overwhelmingly positive response. On 8 May, the WSAD2017 team began in Dubai to meet with schools at the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) as well as the Ministry of Education. Next up was Ajman to meet with teachers from Ajman, as well as Sharjah, Umm Al Quwain, and Ras Al Khaimah. To further spread the word in Abu Dhabi, teachers were briefed at Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) schools, and Services for Educational Development Research and Awareness for Inclusion (SEDRA) centres as well.

Teachers, principals and education entities have shown their commitment to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and are eager to promote continued learning and development.

Omneya Omar, Director of Positive Education from Al Maaref Private School, attended one of the sessions and sees the value of her students witnessing youth from around the world excel in 51 different skill competitions.

“I would encourage our students to sign up because it is the time that we raise more knowledge and awareness to the importance of vocational skills and employability skills and to move the shift from the previous knowledge that it’s all about the white collar positions.”

Changing perceptions of skills and vocational education is at the heart of ACTVET’s mandate. An essential motivation behind hosting a WorldSkills Competition is to draw attention to the importance of skills and how critical they are to building a nation and sustainable development.

Ms. Omar also understands how today’s youth are influenced by so many around them.

“To shift [the attitudes of] parents , I feel it is happening. The country has the vision to make this happen. I’m sure our kids are going to have lots of fun while learning and that’s the mission that we all seek.”

More than 1,300 young people representing the 77 Member countries and regions of WorldSkills International will gather in Abu Dhabi on 14-19 October to participate in the world’s largest vocational skills competition.