Vocational talent recognised as valuable asset

Adults with vocational qualifications that previously did not fit into the UAE’s framework of recognised educational credentials can now for the first time have their certificates attested.

Dr Naji Al Mahdi, chief of qualifications and awards at the Dubai regulatory authority, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority. Pawan Singh / The National

DUBAI // Adults with vocational qualifications that did not fit into the UAE’s framework of recognised educational credentials can, for the first time, have their certificates attested.

With such a high number of expatriate workers, staff often hold qualifications that employers cannot always recognise as they do not fall under the UAE’s National Qualifications Framework.

The problem often applies to foreign colleges and universities operating in the Emirates.

“What we’ve done is identify the appropriate level and comparability level to be in our framework,” said Dr Naji Al Mahdi, chief of qualifications and awards at the Dubai regulatory authority, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority.

“For the first time, we have a system that doesn’t only recognise the achievement but actually describes that, assigns it a level and quantifies that achievement.”

This means that people studying for a diploma from a foreign institution can have their qualifications rated in terms employers can understand.

Each qualification will be attested and rated on a case-by-case basis.

“When an employer looks at this, they will appreciate the achievement,” said Dr Al Mahdi.

Sabeen Fareed, 36, works as a chef and gained her City and Guilds professional qualification from Dubai’s International Centre For Culinary Arts two-and-a-half years ago. Although an internationally recognised awards body, the ICCA did not fall under the UAE’s qualifications framework, until now.

“It’s really nice that we can say our qualifications are recognised,” she said.

Her colleague Annika Panikker, 23, who holds a similar qualification, said it will allow them both to progress at work.

“Most chefs don’t have any formal qualifications and it means they can only go so far,” she said. “The industry is growing so fast all over the world and you need something to show for it so for us this is a huge plus point.”

The National Qualifications Framework (QFEmirates) consists of nine levels.

In Dubai, the qualifications are awarded by Qualifications and Awards in Dubai (QAD) – a body recognised by the National Qualifications Authority.

QAD works together with the Vocational Education and Training Awards Council to compare qualifications and align it with the national framework.

“The recognition service is a step in the right direction and it will ensure educational qualifications are in line with nationally recognised standards,” said Dr Thani Ahmed Al Mehairi, director general of the National Qualifications Authority.

Dr Al Mahdi said the next step would be to move from “recognising qualifications to experience”, allowing those who have spent many years working their way up a career such as the military to have their experience quantified and given equivalency.

“It will recognise years of experience and convert it into a qualification,” he said. “We want to recognise people’s achievements proven through qualifications or work experience and achievements at work.”

This week, more than 70 people were awarded formal recognition of certificates and Dr Al Mahdi envisaged possibly “thousands more” coming forward once the new regulations become more widely known.