ADGM Academy

ADGM Academy: 03 August 2020

The Human Resources Authority (HRA) has signed a cooperation agreement with the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) Academy, and First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), to establish an educational platform for banking services within ADGM Academy through ‘The Bankers Programme’. The initiative’s key objective is to enhance the skills and capabilities of UAE nationals, and support their integration within the banking sector.

The agreement was signed by His Excellency Mohamed Hamad Al Hameli, Acting Director General of the HRA, Hamad Al Mazrouei, Managing Director of ADGM Academy, and Noora Al Reyasi, Head of Learning and Talent Development, Organisational Development, and Emiratisation at FAB.

The signing ceremony was held in a virtual setting and was witnessed by HE Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of State (UAE) and Chairman of ADGM, HE Ali Rashid Al Ketbi, Chairman of the Department of Government Support, André Sayegh, FAB Group Chief Executive Officer, Alex Fraser, Chief Executive, London Institute of Banking & Finance and Khalid Al Suwaidi, Chairman of ADGM Academy, as well as several other officials from the signing entities.

HE Ali Rashid Al Ketbi, Chairman of the Department of Government Support emphasised the UAE’s leadership support for the development of national human resources, and its empowerment to contribute to the national economy through the provision of necessary measures and tools. HE highlighted the role of this agreement in reinforcing the leadership’s vision through the new programme, which will equip Emirati talent with the necessary skills and facilitate their integration within the banking sector. Al Ketbi commended the vital role of ADGM Academy in supporting the strategy of the HRA and meeting the needs and expectations of Emirati job seekers. HE also commended the cooperation of FAB in all programmes and initiatives that promote the participation of UAE nationals within the financial sector and reinforces their skills and knowledge in light of the country’s diversification strategy, which resulted in the need for diverse, professional and highly skilled national talent that aim to support the sustainable development of Abu Dhabi’s economy.

HE Mohamed Hamad Al Hameli, Acting Director General of the HRA said: “We are pleased to enter into this partnership with ADGM Academy and FAB, which enables knowledge sharing of best practices and expertise that endorse our Emiratisation programmes, and support the development of specialised talent. The partnership will help us explore new cooperation areas that promote public-private partnerships within the banking and financial services sector as the HRA will oversee and facilitate the selection and recruitment process of national talent at FAB through the enrolment of job seekers in specialised courses administered by ADGM Academy, serving as a key strategic partner to the HRA.”

The three entities will work together to launch ‘The Bankers Programme’, a new initiative that aims to support the government’s requirements for vital occupations, as defined by the Central Bank of the UAE, and in line with FAB’s requirements for talent employment and management. The entities will host training and development programmes in an effort to elevate the skills of UAE nationals, as well as host a National Development Programme to train fresh graduates and promote their participation within the financial services sector. Selected candidates from the programme will then be assigned to work within the chosen entity, based on pre-defined criteria. The Programme will be designed and delivered in partnership with the London Institute of Banking & Finance (LIBF), who share a longstanding and progressive partnership with the Academy.

Hamad Al Mazrouei, Managing Director of ADGM Academy said: “We are pleased to collaborate with the HRA and FAB to launch ‘The Bankers Programme’ as part of our National Development programme. It is within our core business at ADGM and the ADGM Academy to contribute to the development of national talent across all sectors of the economy, and specifically the financial services sector. The programme will be delivered in partnership with the Academy’s strategic partner, the LIBF, and will ensure that fresh UAE graduates are equipped with banking and financial education, as well as on the job training for today’s employment market in Abu Dhabi. The programme will provide candidates with a qualification in the field of banking & finance in addition to specialised qualification in risk, compliance, corporate or investment banking. I take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank our strategic partners for their efforts to develop the programme at hand, and would like to reiterate our commitment to the endorsement and launch of further innovative initiatives that support the UAE’s development plans.”

André Sayegh, Group Chief Executive Officer, FAB said: “We are excited to work with the Human Resources Authority and Abu Dhabi Global Market Academy on this initiative, which we believe will play an essential role in advancing education in the banking sector and establishing a financial ecosystem that supports the developmental aspirations of the emirate. FAB will leverage its experience and market-leading position to build a new generation of talent that will support a prosperous economic future for our nation. We are committed to the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030, which is the roadmap towards promoting economic growth in the emirate, and we will actively explore the best opportunities to partner with all stakeholders to achieve its goals of economic diversification and successful private-public partnerships.”

‘The Bankers Programme’ serves as a testament to the strategic partnership formed by the HRA, ADGM Academy and FAB, which further reinforces the collaborative efforts of the public sector, education, and banking sectors. The programme also highlights the entities’ commitment to promote cooperative frameworks and leverage digital educational platforms to launch a set of programmes and training workshops in the field of finance and banking, delivered by the most reputable academic experts.

ADGM Academy and the HRA previously partnered in February 2019 to train and recruit more than 90 UAE nationals with the most advanced international skills in auditing and accounting in collaboration with a selection of renowned global companies. As part of the HRA’s ongoing initiatives, the programme aims to meet the growing demand for jobs in various economic sectors, in an effort to reinforce the pillars of a knowledge-based economy, including financial management, auditing and accounting, in line with Abu Dhabi’s Ghadan 21 accelerator programme. The programme also aims to provide new jobs for UAE nationals in support of the HRA’s strategic goals, facilitated by various public-private partnerships across all sectors, and in an effort to improve the quality of services provided to UAE citizens. The programme was established in line with Abu Dhabi’s ambitious visions for the Emirate, specifically towards enhancing integration between all government and private agencies to better serve citizens.