Empowering Nationals: Aldar’s Commitment to Emiratisation in the UAE

At its core, Emiratisation in the UAE strengthens communities by ensuring Emiratis play leading roles in their own economy. With initiatives that span education, mentorship, and employment, the policy has become a driver of both national identity and long-term resilience.

Aldar contributes by embedding Emiratisation into recruitment, training, and leadership strategies across its businesses.

What Emiratisation Means for Young Professionals in the UAE

For young Emiratis entering the workforce, Emiratisation is a pathway to skills, stability, and leadership. It offers opportunities that align with the country’s economic direction while reinforcing cultural identity.

The UAE’s National Vision and Emiratisation Goals

The UAE government has set ambitious targets to increase Emirati participation across industries, particularly in the private sector.

Federal targets: By 2026, companies in the private sector are required to increase Emirati employees by 2% each year until they reach a minimum of 10% of the workforce.
Strategic alignment: Emiratisation directly supports UAE Vision 2030 and the Nafis programme, which provides training, financial support, and job-matching services for Emiratis.

These goals ensure young Emiratis have clear entry points into careers that drive economic diversification.

Why Emiratisation Matters for the Next Generation

For young Emiratis, Emiratisation in the UAE secures a pathway into careers that match the country’s long-term direction. It prepares nationals to take part in industries that define the future economy and ensures they are equipped with the skills to lead.

Aldar’s Approach to Upskilling and Career Development

Aldar treats upskilling as a long-term investment, ensuring that Emirati talent is prepared for leadership in real estate, retail, education, and hospitality. The company’s approach combines in-house training, scholarships, and national partnerships that create practical career pathways for young professionals.

Collaborations with Universities and Training Institutes

Aldar works directly with leading universities and training bodies to create clear career pathways for Emiratis.

UAEU and Khalifa University: Aldar provides internships and graduate placements for engineering, architecture, and IT students, ensuring classroom learning connects with large-scale projects like Saadiyat Grove and Yas Island.
Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT): joint programmes prepare students for retail management and customer experience roles within Aldar’s malls and hospitality assets.
Abu Dhabi Vocational Education and Training Institute (ADVETI): technical programmes in construction, health and safety, and facilities management help Emiratis build careers in operational roles.
Executive education: Aldar sponsors employees to attend leadership programmes at institutions such as INSEAD Middle East Campus in Abu Dhabi.

These partnerships ensure that Emiratis gain hands-on industry knowledge while still pursuing formal education.

Scholarship Programmes Backed by Aldar

Aldar has established scholarships that remove barriers to education for talented Emiratis and direct them towards fields vital to the economy.

Aldar Education scholarships cover tuition at both UAE universities and selected international institutions, with a focus on engineering, architecture, business, and sustainability studies.
Through the ADNOC Schools partnership, Aldar extends scholarship opportunities to high-achieving Emirati students, preparing them for further study in STEM and leadership disciplines.

National Partnerships Driving Emirati Talent Growth

Aldar plays an active role in national Emiratisation initiatives in the UAE, reinforcing its position as a private-sector leader in talent development.

Nafis programme: Aldar collaborates to recruit and train Emiratis into roles across real estate, retail, and education. Nationals benefit from wage subsidies, training support, and structured career development under this framework.
Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE): Aldar participates in nationwide campaigns to increase Emirati presence in private-sector management roles.
Community programmes: Aldar hosts career fairs, job-shadowing schemes, and internship drives targeting Emirati university students and recent graduates.

Success Stories of Nationals Growing with Aldar

Emiratisation is visible in the leadership appointments across Aldar, the rapid career growth of young professionals, and the broader national achievements of Emiratis in business, government, and culture. Together, these stories show how national talent is reshaping the UAE economy.

Emiratis Breaking Barriers in Leadership Roles

Talal Al Dhiyebi — Group CEO of Aldar, leading expansion across the UAE and into new markets.
Maan Al Awlaqi — Chief Portfolio Officer at Aldar Investments, responsible for multi-billion-dirham portfolios.
Amna Al Qubaisi — the first female Emirati racing driver to compete internationally, breaking barriers in motorsport and inspiring women in male-dominated fields.
Dr. Amal Al Qubaisi — the first woman to lead a national parliament in the Arab world as Speaker of the Federal National Council.
Reem Al Hashimy — Minister of State for International Cooperation, central to Expo 2020 Dubai’s success.

Looking Ahead: Aldar’s Emiratisation Roadmap

Aldar has developed a roadmap that scales Emirati participation across its businesses while aligning with national policy. The plan focuses on raising leadership representation, deepening specialist skills, and linking development to the UAE’s long-term vision.

How Aldar’s Roadmap Supports the UAE’s Vision 2030

The roadmap is designed to reinforce Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030, which places Emiratis at the centre of the knowledge economy.

Integration with the Nafis programme ties Aldar’s hiring targets to national quotas and training subsidies.
Localisation increases resilience in real estate, retail, and education by reducing reliance on expatriate workforces.
Development tracks in sustainability, construction technology, and digital innovation prepare nationals for high-growth industries.
Emiratis in Aldar’s sustainability and digital teams contribute directly to national strategies for smart cities and clean energy.

Contributions to Economic Diversification Through Emiratisation

Emiratisation in the UAE strengthens its transition away from oil dependency, and Aldar’s workforce plays a role in this shift.

Nationals in sustainability roles deliver retrofit projects that cut energy use and support Net Zero 2050.
Emirati educators at ADNOC Schools equip thousands of students with skills for STEM and future industries.
Emiratis in digital and PropTech divisions push automation and efficiency across Aldar’s assets.
Managers in hospitality and retail oversee strategies that attract visitors and increase non-oil revenues.

These contributions show that Emiratisation at Aldar is not limited to recruitment targets but acts as a driver of diversification across multiple sectors.