EXPO 2020 Dubai has welcomed 27 apprentices to the Expo 2020 Dubai site office in Dubai South, as the Expo 2020 Dubai Apprenticeship Program officially begins. The first cohort of the pioneering program includes UAE-based graduates, under the age of 28, from 14 different nationalities, reflecting the wide ranging interest in Expo 2020 Dubai, the inclusive nature of what will be the most international event in World Expo history, and the UAE's multicultural society. The nine month long program has been created as part of Expo 2020 Dubai's commitment to empowering young people by equipping them with the skills and experiences required to step into longer term employment across a wide range of industries. Between now and their graduation from the program in June 2017, apprentices will complete a series of intensive and varied learning modules, as well as on-the-job work experience within one of a diverse range of Expo 2020 Dubai departments, including Commercial, Communications, Events, Procurement and Real Estate Development, carefully selected to match their skillset and area of interest. Throughout the program, apprentices will also work on a capstone project - an individual, investigative workplace assignment that is meant to demonstrate learning and provide a valuable deliverable to their designated department. Each apprentice will also benefit from expert mentorship and leadership coaching from a member of the Expo 2020 Dubai team. The final 27 were selected from over 2,700 initial applicants through a series of innovative assessments, during which they were evaluated on criteria such as leadership, teamwork and their ability to identify and solve problems under pressure. One of the apprentices, Yousef Al Ali, said: "I am really excited to be taking part in the progam. For me, this is a real opportunity to help contribute to the future of the UAE and I will do my very best to make the most of it." Fatma Hareb added: "I feel very lucky to have been chosen as one of the Expo 2020 Dubai apprentices. It's a great chance for me to develop the skills that will help me in my future career." Manal AlBayat, Vice President of Engagement at Expo 2020 Dubai, said: "By offering apprentices the opportunity to learn from and work directly alongside the team leading the delivery of Expo 2020, the Apprenticeship Program represents a gateway to an enhanced professional future in today's globalized world. It will also mark a central legacy of the Expo, by supporting the UAE's drive towards a diversified knowledge-based economy, fuelled by skills development, creative thinking and innovation. We are excited to see how the apprentices will develop both personally and professionally over the next nine months, and we look forward to the contribution of these bright and talented young individuals to the various teams." The nine month long program has been developed in collaboration with Bon Education, an internationally renowned learning design company, and is based on global best practice. It is also aligned with the UAE Government's Youth Empowerment Strategy and the Expo 2020 Dubai theme ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future.' The Expo 2020 Dubai Apprenticeship Program is just one in a number of youth-focused initiatives launched by Expo 2020 Dubai including YouthConnect, which following on from the success of the inaugural event in 2015, will return in November 2016 as a two day festival for more than 1,000 young people aged 16-25 from across the GCC. It will feature a wide range of hands-on workshops, inspirational speeches and engaging discussion corners, as well as opportunities for networking.
