Abu dhabi: The Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council (ETCC), in collaboration with the NAFIS Youth Council, has introduced the Alpha Program-an initiative designed to enable Emirati middle school students to explore private sector careers and build skills for the future.
According to Emirates News Agency, the program targets Generation Alpha students as part of the NAFIS Youth Council’s commitment to aligning with ETCC’s strategic objectives. By investing in the nation’s human capital at an early stage, the program intends to increase awareness about future labor market demands and equip students with practical skills through early exposure to private sector opportunities.
Majid bin Zawbaa, Chairman of the NAFIS Youth Council, highlighted the importance of early investment in students’ potential for building a sustainable economic future. He noted that the Alpha Program serves as a link between academic goals and professional realities, helping to dismantle psychological barriers linked to private sector employment.
Supervised by ETCC alongside the NAFIS Youth Council, the program is aimed at high-achieving students in grades six to eight, aged 12 to 14, and is implemented in two phases. The initial phase features interactive workshops conducted in schools, led by members of the NAFIS Youth Council and supplemented by mentoring sessions with experts, focusing on personal development, career awareness, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
In its second phase, the program offers job-simulation experiences within real workplace settings through collaborations with private sector firms, boosting students’ confidence and future skills while helping them pinpoint their interests early on.
Strategic private sector partners involved in the program’s development include Al Futtaim Group, Chalhoub Group, Presight, PwC, AtkinsR©alis, and Abdul Wahid Al Rostamani Group. Educational partners such as GEMS Wellington Academy, Gulf, the American Academy for Girls, and Al Mutanabi Charter School contribute to integrating academic guidance with hands-on experience to foster early career preparedness.