Introduction
The Abu Dhabi Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ACTVET) is an organization specifying standards and policies in education. Established by the UAE Armed Forces and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander, it sets clear strategies, which go in line with the goals of the government. Among the three motivating drivers for strategic planning of this organization, there are increasing the amount of skilled youth, ensuring employability in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector, and promoting life-long learning.
Increasing the Amount of Skilled Youth
Taking into account that the contemporary rapidly developing labor market sets new challenges and opportunities, it is essential to prepare skilled specialists that would meet the current demand for technical and vocational advancement. This motivating driver focuses on building such a workforce that would ensure sustainable development of the UAE. For example, the Institute of Applied Technology (IAT) and the Abu Dhabi Vocational Education and Training Institute (ADVETI) collaborate with ACTVET in an attempt to graduate the most skilled students. Among the initiatives of the organization, one may note the participation in World Skills and Skills4Life – the world championships. Both of them strive to gather and present excellent masters in the field of vocational and technical education. The results of teams participating in these competitions reflect not only the personal qualities of the members but also the level of professional training and the general level of quality of services in the country represented by a certain member.
Most importantly, World Skills 2017 is held in Abu Dhabi, thus providing the emirate with the opportunity not only to join the global competition but also to organize it and act as host. At this point, ACTVET strives to create an appropriate and most welcoming environment for young specialists. The motivational driver of increasing the amount of skilled youth aims at the actualization of the demand for skilled employees who have the competence to manage modern technological processes. In this regard, the training of specialists should be by the best international standards and advanced technologies for the most demanded and promising occupations and specialties of technical and vocational education. It is this vector of development that is also indicated in the state’s strategic planning.
Ensuring Employability in TVET Sector
The modernization of the education system is a compulsory condition for the formation of an innovative economy. Consistent with de Guzman et al., ACTVET promotes employability as a basis for the dynamic economic growth and social development of society as well as the well-being of citizens and the security of the country (204). The intensive development of the national labor market is possible only with the availability of professional staff. Therefore, the organization aligns the popularization of working professions and increase of young people’s motivation to continue to develop their professional education and improve their qualifications for career and personal growth based on the national standards and needs.
Another outcome following from ensuring the motivational driving of employability refers to the development and innovation of training professional system for the economy of the region by international standards. Elaborated by the Abu Dhabi Council for Economic Development and the Department of Planning and Economy, the official document states that “Abu Dhabi will work to guarantee that Nationals have the skills required for competing in a growing and open economy” (“The Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030” 93). This means that the national workforce will be built to secure the economic future of the country. Since primarily foreign professionals currently compose the UAE’s occupational workforce, the role of boosting the Nationals cannot be overestimated. Consistent with Abu Dhabi Vision 2030, the paramount goal of this motivating driver is to demonstrate the prestige of vocational and technical education and allow young workers to gain practical skills and high qualifications, which are in demand in the modern labor market. Thus, the application of advanced standards in the training of qualified personnel enables the organization to solve the key task facing the system of technical and vocational education – to ensure a high level of graduates’ training according to world standards to provide a competitive advantage.
Promoting Life-Long Learning
In addition to setting standards and policies for young professionals, ACTVET provides the opportunity to receive licenses for tutors and trainers. According to the priority identified by the organization to “regulate and quality-assured TVET”, it becomes evident that it pursues the goal of improving the excellence of the labor market (“Our Strategy”). The mentioned motivational driving is associated with one of the skilled youth since the latter need experienced and competent educators. Considering that technology enhances rapidly, it is critical to ensure continuous learning and improvement. It seems to be of great importance to emphasize the fact that teacher competence directly affects the level of students’ skills and awareness of their profession. For instance, the actual work practices along with the very nature of knowledge transferred from a trainer to a student determine the future quality of a young professional. Thus, more competent and competitive educators will produce more effective and skilled youth.
As declared by the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030, the emirate strives to become the region’s learning center (92). In this regard, the initiatives and regulations suggested and implemented by ACTVET support the above intention. The need for continuous learning is associated with the permanent improvement and development of the field. Assisting in acquiring new knowledge and integrating it in practice, the organization’s life-long learning motivating driver focuses on accountability, innovation, and excellence. At the same time, it allows not only to increase the level of knowledge of workers and develop the required professional skills but also to form a system of values ​​and attitudes that corresponds to today’s realities and supports the occupational market strategy. ACTVET does not limit learning to the transfer of certain knowledge to employees and the development of necessary skills (“Our Strategy”). Instead, it encourages conveying information to employees on the current state of affairs on the labor market and helping them to achieve an understanding of the prospects in terms of strategic development, increasing the level of labor motivation, commitment, and involvement.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it should be emphasized that ACTVET’s motivational drivers are rather strong and aligned with those of the government. By increasing the amount of skilled youth and ensuring employability, the organization strives to meet both national and global standards and establish a competitive advantage in the TVET sector. The motivational driver of life-long learning implies to promote the increased awareness, competitiveness, and competence of tutors and trainers, thus contributing to the UAE’s economic foundation and sustainable development.
Works Cited
“The Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030.” Executive Council, 2008, Web.
de Guzman, Allan B., and Kyoung Ok Choi. “The Relations of Employability Skills to Career Adaptability Among Technical School Students.” Journal of Vocational Behavior, vol. 82, no. 3, 2013, pp. 199-207.
“Our Strategy.”ACTVET, n.d., Web.