The Abu Dhabi Vocational Education and Training Institute (ADVETI) in partnership with BASF has opened a spray-painting vocational training centre for automotive refinishing at Zayed Military City in Abu Dhabi.

BASF’s partnership with ADVETI and its support of WorldSkills and Emirates Skills is part of the company’s commitment to contributing to the UAE’s countrywide efforts to build institutions that provide quality technical and vocational education.

According to the UAE government, the UAE needs to produce 10 Emiratis with vocational skills for every university graduate to achieve a sustainable and diversified knowledge-based economy.

BASF aims to close the skills gap by supporting local talent.

Spanning 800 m², the new center will cater to the increasing demand for automotive refinishing products and services in the region.

The facility will serve as an ideal training ground for young, talented Emiratis and also be used by some of BASF’s automotive refinish customers.

Training sessions and workshops will be structured to optimise productivity, efficiency, and competitiveness to enhance the skill level of the body shop workers employed by BASF’s business partners and step up the overall industry standards in the region.

HE Dr Abdulrahman Jassim Al Hammadi, managing director of the Abu Dhabi Vocational Education and Training Institute, said: “This will be the first centre to train young Emiratis to spray-paint using the latest technologies and specialised technical training programmes. These programmes have been developed by an academic team to enrich the trainees’ knowledge, skills and practical experience in automotive refinishing. The classrooms, workshops and facilities are designed to provide an optimal and safe environment for field practices.”

Dr Udo Huenger, vice president Middle East at BASF said: “Together with ADVETI instructors, we will start training young, talented Emiratis to become professional car painters.”

The center will feature a large color lab, an experience area for business partners, a dedicated application and preparation area with a professional classroom equipped with latest technical and multimedia training tools.

Offering a set of innovative service modules designed to improve the processes and overall performance of a body shop, the curriculum will be flexible in order to meet the specific training needs of the customers.

The enrolment of Emiratis in vocational schools has surged during the past few years, signaling a positive change in the public’s perception of technical education.

National Petroleum Construction Company (NPCC), part of Senaat Abu Dhabi, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Abu Dhabi Vocational Education & Training Institute (ADVETI) to cooperate for exploration of Career Development Opportunities for UAE Nationals, as part of Emiratisation in NPCC.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Dr. Abdulrahman Al Hammadi, Managing Director of ADVETI and Eng. Ahmed Al Dhaheri, CEO of NPCC. As part of MoU, both parties agreed to work together to explore opportunities for Sponsorship, Work Placement and Recruitment.

Dr. Abdulrahman Al Hammadi, Managing Director of ADVETI said “We are educating, coaching and developing UAE Nationals to become future leaders, guided by UAE Vision 2021 and Abu Dhabi Vision 2030, set by our leaders” Eng. Ahmed Al Dhaheri, CEO of NPCC said “NPCC is committed to developing UAE Nationals and giving them opportunities to grow. We have set-up a career development developed program (CDP) to help UAE Nationals progress with-in NPCC”.

Abu Dhabi Vocational Education and Training Institute (ADVETI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AIESEC at the Institute's headquarters in Abu Dhabi. The signing of the agreement comes as part of the efforts of the two parties to build national capacities in the field of vocational training and volunteerism targeting students and graduates between the ages of 17 and 30.

The MoU was signed by HE Dr. Abdulrahman Jassim Al Hammadi, Managing Director of Abu Dhabi Vocational Education and Training Institute, and Mr. Ahmed Samara, CEO of AIESEC in the UAE.

The agreement aims to equip Emirati cadres and develop national workforce and provide them with the necessary skills in various fields. The organization provides students and graduates of ADVETI with opportunities to join the UAE, which will provide opportunities to gain practical experiences in different opportunities around the world, where the trainees spend at least four weeks.

Under the agreement, Abu Dhabi Vocational Education and Training Institute (ADVETI) works alongside AIESEC by promoting volunteerism and the importance of the role of the organization in building a new methodology to support students and young people to acquire practical skills through the adoption and creation of real jobs, in addition to that, the institute provides in-house facilities to facilitate awareness campaigns and workshops.

Dr. Abdulrahman Jassim Al Hammadi expressed his pleasure at signing this agreement which is in line with the vocational education strategy of the Institute. The success of this initiative depends on the partnerships being implemented by the Abu Dhabi Education and Vocational Training Institute in various sectors. This initiative is a strong addition to the capabilities and expertise of the national outputs in the field of training which is the basis of the Institute's mission to make Emirati citizens ready to lead the future development of the state. He pointed out that this cooperation with AIESEC would contribute to benefiting from the international experience to develop the leadership skills of the students, assimilate the others through interaction, working side by side, and the exchange of experiences among the youth group of different cultures.

Dr. Al Hammadi pointed out that the Abu Dhabi Vocational Education and Training Institute always seeks to integrate development efforts aimed at improving and developing national education outputs in order to serve the ambitious vision of the wise leadership of the country, which seeks to achieve the highest ranking globally. He stressed that ADVETI operates according to a strategy based on the rehabilitation of outputs that have the ability and efficiency and are adapted to the latest developments and requirements locally and globally.

Mr. Ahmed Samara expressed his pleasure to cooperate with Abu Dhabi for Vocational Education and Training Institute and the vision of the two organizations on volunteering and the culture of giving in self-development and socities, as well as the welcome and support of HE Dr. Abdulrahman Jassim Al-Hammadi and his future vision.

He also pointed out the importance of volunteering and cultural exchange that prepares generations to keep abreast of the various international trends and what it will do to promote and achieve the goals of the UAE Vision 2021 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030. Mr Ahmed stressed on that the Institute's mission to develop national outputs will support the empowerment of its students and graduates to access AIESEC’s global programs in 124 countries.

The Abu Dhabi Institute for Education and Vocational Training was established in 2007 and is followed by seven specialized institutes: Al Jazeera Science and Technology in Abu Dhabi, Al Jahli Science and Technology in Al Ain, Binouna for Science and Technology in Al Dhafra, as well as technical schools scattered within the state.

Established in 2001, AIESEC UAE is leading local offices around the country, Dubai in Dubai International Academic City, Dubai Knowledge Park, and Sharjah at American University of Sharjah and University of Sharjah.

Dr. Abdulrahman Jassim Al Hammadi, Managing Director of Abu Dhabi Vocational Education & Training Institute hosted H.E Omar Razzaz Minister of education in Jordan, and the accompanying delegation.

Dr. Al Hammadi accompanied H.E Omar Razzaz and toured Al Reef Institute of Logistics & Applied Technology in Al Shahama as Dr. Hammadi explained the role of Al Reef Institute and its specialty in Logistics Management, Electrical and Mechanical engineering. Dr. Hammadi emphasized the importance of vocational education in UAE, and that the students at ADVETI are utilizing the most advanced technology in the Electrical, Mechanical, and logistics labs.

H.E Omar Razzaz was impressed with the available facilities in Al Reef Institute of Logistics & Applied Technology, and the teaching resources available for the National students.

Dr. Al Hammadi mentioned that he is delighted in this visit, and we are proud to provide cutting-edge and student-centered vocational education practices,

As we prepare our graduates for in-demand careers in this increasingly globalized economy, and with our industry partnership we are developing graduates with the knowledge, skills and confidence to contribute effectively in the UAE workforce.

The tour also included Al Reef Institute of Logistics & Applied Technology academic and operational staff among them, Dr. David Turner Director of Institute, Dr. Ghassan Farach Academic Manager, and Eng. Mohamed Al Marzooqi operation Supervisor at Al Reef Institute.

The Institute Director David Turner was pleased to welcome the delegation. He said "I am delighted to show how the work ADVETI is developing and advancing vocational skills for UAE nationals as we work to respond to the changing needs of business and industry. The international WORLD SKILLS 2017 has further inspired us in this task as we strive toward the Abu Dhabi vision 2030.

The tour also included a visit to the Non- Destructive Technology Lab ( NDT ) which is a newly built facility tailored to the industries in UAE utilize, as it is among few  in UAE , and the only one in any educational facility.

HE Dr. Abdulrahman Jassim Al Hammadi, Managing Director of Abu Dhabi Vocational Education and Training Institute- ADVETI, received members of the Kingdom of the Netherlands delegation who is visiting the UAE to participate in the international skills competition held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander Of the armed forces.

The Kingdom of the Netherlands delegation included Mr. Jan vanzijl , ABB Chairman, Mr. Michael Van Straalen, Chairman of Koninklijke MKB, Ms. Wilma Verhoeks, Managing Director of ROC Mondrian Vocational Training Company, and a number of General Managers in various educational and professional institutions in the Netherlands, in addition to the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands attaché.

The delegation was accompanied by members of the administrative and educational bodies and students from Al Reef Institute of Logistics & Applied Technology in Al Shahama.

Dr. Abdulrahman Jassim Al Hammadi, praised the relation between ADVETI and the world's leading institutions in the field of vocational education and the importance of this visit and the links in vocational education with the Netherlands.

Dr. Al-Hammadi said that Abu Dhabi Vocational Education and Training Institute- ADVETI provides students with an excellent learning environment in various fields, especially engineering, logistics, Business,  and other disciplines in Environment, Health and Safety through specialized training in state of art laboratories at the Institute to improve the learning outcome of the students.

The Netherlands delegation visited the electrical engineering and mechanical engineering labs where Dr. Al Hammadi explained the importance of vocational education at ADVETI, and the importance of the laboratories that the students work in on daily basis. The delegation also visited the Non- Destructive Technology lab which is the only one in educational institution in UAE.

This visit of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Al Reef Institute of Logistics & Applied Technology comes under the initiative of one school and one country launched by the WORLD SKILLS, which mandated the visits of delegations from different countries and cultures to a number of schools and Vocational institutions in UAE.  The tour included a number of technical laboratories in the area of mechanical, electrical and Logistics, and Students' projects in various fields using the latest technologies.

The delegation also visited the Vocational Education Development Centre. VEDC is a boarding institute that caters for Emiratis who have an interest in vocational studies rather than mainstream academic education, enabling them to become citizens who will play an active role in contributing to the UAE society and economy. The programmes are industry-based and all graduates are given assistance to find a job at the end of their programme. VEDC offers alternative learning pathways which focus on applied learning methods (hands-on learning) which are well integrated with a personal development programme that educates young men in self-discipline, work ethics and employability skills that enable them to keep on the right track for lifelong employment.

At the end of the visit, the delegation was impressed by the progress made in the field of vocational education at Al Reef Institute, and VEDC and the facilities that Abu Dhabi Vocational Education and Training Institute operates in and their learning outcome.

H.E. Dr. Abdulrahman Jassim Al Hammadi, Managing Director of Abu Dhabi Vocational Education & Training Institute, had a tour of the World Skills Competition 2017. Dr. Abdulrahman visited Emirati competitors and students from ADVETI schools and institutes. He emphasized on the importance of the competition to encourage innovation and creativity in our Emirati youth.

Abu Dhabi Vocational Education & Training Institute and Zayed Higher Organization signed the contract for the first Diploma Course in the Middle East, Arabic speaking Region for the new profession Vocational Trainer for people with special educational needs. This course is a cooperation of ZHO and ADVETI and puts the educational sector of UAE in a leading position in the development of new highly needed professions tailor made for the needs of UAE.

The MoU was signed by H.E. Dr. Abdulrahman Jassim Al Hammadi, Managing Director of Abu Dhabi Vocational Education & Training Institute and H.E. Abdullah Al Humaidan, Zayed Higher Organization’s Acting Secretary General.

The Diploma course will be a national qualification and will set standards in the Vocational Training for people of determination. Target of zho is to lead the inclusion in the employment sector for people of determination and offer support services to ensure the employability of graduates students of zho.

Under the terms of the agreement ADVETI will develop diploma certification course for ZHO staff, and will also collaborate a curriculum development and verification.

Dr. Abdulrahman Jassim Al Hammadi said the agreement was another example of the strong and long-standing relationships between the ADVETI and ZHO.

ADVETI prides itself on vocational educational practices and being at the forefront of new developments, practices and technologies, particularly in the areas of vocational training and education. Hence, this agreement with the ZHO will help our students to learn more about Zayed Higher Organization Dr. Abdulrahman said.

Dr. Abdulrahman said that the emphasis on the strategic partnerships with industry will strengthen the institutions, and provide skilled national vocational students who can perform to the highest level of productivity. Supporting young National students to develop and advance their careers is a key focus for ADVETI, and by working closely with our industry partners, such as ZHO through these vital initiatives we are contributing to the growth of our nation by providing a well-trained and capable vocational workforce.

Commenting on the signing of the agreement with ADVETI,  H.E. Abdullah Al Humaidan highlighted that  he is delighted to have this MOU signed , and to be the pioneer in launching this Diploma program, and that this agreement reinforces our solid commitment to develop the skills of Emirati staff .

H.E added that we are pleased to be working with ADVETI on this important initiative, by which it has taken a major step forward in providing an initiative that seeks to up-skill young UAE Nationals.

Abu Dhabi Vocational Education and Training Institute’s students (from Al Jazirah Institute of Science and Technology) participated in the Sustainability Week which was Launched by Abu Dhabi Ports for three days from 16 to 18 October. Students successfully delivered First Aid workshops to the audience.