UAE and UK explore joint cooperation in job market

Abu Dhabi, May 27, 2012 (WAM) - Saqr Ghobash Saeed Ghobash, Minister of Labour and Chairman of National Qualifications Authority (NQA), and John Hayes MP, UK Minister of State for Further Education and Skills, explored avenues of joint cooperation and exchange of expertise. Ghobash informed the British minister about the mission and role of the NQA and its plans to advance socio-economic development in the UAE in consistence with the UAE Vision 2021 which calls for sharpening competitive edge in the job market and transformation towards the knowledge-based economy. He said the UAE job market, which offers best job perks and benefits, is one of the world's most attractive labour markets. For his part, the British minister commended achievements the UAE has made in a record time. He said the UK and UAE maintain longstanding bonds of friendship and cooperation. Dr. Thani Al Muhairi, Director of NQA, gave a presentation on the key guidelines of the NQA which cover education and training, including vocational education and training, in the UAE, and its relationship with the economy and labour market as well as the development of a national qualifications framework for the UAE and identifying appropriate national mechanisms covering vocational education and training and development of related systems and processes. ''The Authority is working in coordination with other existing concerned authorities to establish and develop a national system of educational qualifications in the UAE through drawing up plans and policies in this regard within a comprehensive and standardised strategy of the qualifications, which determines regulations and standards of higher, general, technical education qualification and vocational training and how to develop them continuously in order to keep pace with scientific and technological progress and the requirements of economic and social development in UAE,'' he added. Top labour officials along with Dominic Jermey, the British ambassador to the UAE, were present at the meeting. – Emirates News Agency, WAM