DEWA | Dubai Electricity and Water Authority

In line with the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and to reflect the goals of the UAE Vision 2021, which aims to nurture talented Emiratis and make the UAE one of the best countries in the world, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is developing local talent through its Emiratisation programme. DEWA adopts an integrated strategy to develop the skills of talented Emiratis and consistently works to implement and promote Emiratisation policies. DEWA is one of the leading government entities in the UAE that supports Emirati students who wish to complete their studies in the energy sector, both inside and outside the country. Led by its vision to become a sustainable innovative world-class utility, DEWA partnered with the ‘Business and Technology Education Council’, a British organisation that pioneered in vocational rehabilitation, to launch the DEWA Academy with the goal of training young Emiratis in various technical and professional fields. The training programmes cover different areas of electricity generation, transmission, and distribution as well as water desalination. Upon completion, students receive a certificate from Business and Technology Education Council. “Establishing the DEWA Academy is part of our strategy to develop our technical staff and promote Emiratisation. The Academy aims to qualify the largest number of Emiratis to meet the needs of DEWA’s various departments. This supports the Emiratisation policies of our government,’’ said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA. “We adopt a clear strategy to develop and train UAE nationals by improving the skills required to meet the requirements of DEWA. We are a leading government department in launching various training programmes for UAE students who seek to complete their studies in energy, both in the UAE and abroad,” added Al Tayer. DEWA has an integrated strategy to promote Emiratisation. This is underlined by its allocation of 300 jobs to new graduates in technical and administrative majors. The organisation follow an ambitious plan to increase the percentage of Emiratis who work at DEWA and has already achieved excellent results with UAE Nationals comprising 83.53% of senior management, 44.39% middle management, and 33.38% in non-supervisory positions. “The duration of study at the Academy is three years, which provides students with the opportunity to acquire the technical skills needed to enter the work environment. Other skills include time management, planning, innovation, and teamwork with DEWA’s electrical and mechanical engineers and experts. The programme also ensures that graduates have the opportunity to work with DEWA’s staff upon completion of the programme,” said Dr. Yousef Al Akraf, Executive Vice President of Business Support and Human Resources at DEWA. The Academy helps graduates to work in different technical areas within DEWA’s departments. Upon graduation, the students obtain a certificate that is equivalent to high school technical certificate. The Academy also plays an important role in developing Emiratis through its curricula that has been approved to the highest and latest international standards. The curricula provide the students with the technical and professional capacity necessary to compete in a highly competitive business world in the UAE and internationally. In 2013, DEWA launched a number of scholarship programmes to enable students to study renewable energy abroad. Earlier DEWA signed agreements with international companies such as ‘RWE’ and ‘First Solar’ to train its staff in Europe and the United States enabling them to learn about the latest global developments, and share knowledge with their counterparts in international institutions. Last year, DEWA sent a number of its engineers to Essen, Germany, for an integrated training programme for one month, while another group went to the University of Arizona to learn about renewable energy. DEWA cooperates with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), based in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi. DEWA and IRENA have agreed to conduct research and studies in the fields of renewable and alternative energy, through initiatives centered on ways to reduce carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions. DEWA assigned its first batch of employees to Germany to work and train for two years in renewable energy projects with IRENA, as part of a long-term plan between the two entities. In 2014, DEWA signed MoU to develop and train Emiratis at a group of universities, including the University of Dubai, through special training programmes for a group of 30 Deputy Managers and Assistant Managers. DEWA cooperates with different colleges, universities, and regional educational and training institutions. DEWA offers scholarships in Electrical Engineering in collaboration with the Higher Colleges of Technology - Dubai Men’s College. DEWA’s Programmes also include ‘Intilaq’ that offers a Bachelor of Mechanical/Electrical Engineering degree from private and government universities across the UAE. DEWA also collaborates with the UAE University to offer a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering/Mechanical Engineering degree. DEWA provides full scholarships to UAE nationals to study Bachelor of Electrical or Mechanical Engineering at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in Dubai. The University grant for undergraduates and graduates allow Emirati students to study Mechanical and Electrical Engineering. This complements the objectives of the ‘UAE Vision 2021.’ The University also offers Bachelors and Masters degrees in business, leadership, engineering, computer science, as well as separate scholarships from the ‘Information and Communication Technology Fund.’ The Emiratisation plan adopted by DEWA aims to launch ambitious programmes covering vital sectors to train UAE nationals. The scholarship programme is subject to the rules, regulations and procedures of scholarships established by DEWA. Applicants must achieve 80% marks at secondary school. After receiving the certificate from RIT, the student is assigned to an engineering position with rewarding salary and allowances. DEWA continuously attracts university and college students for summer training in a variety of disciplines that include mechanical and electrical engineering, electronics and business management, finance and legal affairs. The average number of trainees in the last three years totalled 126 with DEWA providing practical training as a requirement for graduation. Summer training programmes organised by DEWA help students to sharpen their skills and acquire practical experience that assists them in their studies and future careers while enabling them to serve better the country better. DEWA arranges site visits for University and college students to educate them about its work environment. DEWA also sponsors projects and academic research and encourages outstanding students to achieve more. Develop Emirati Staff capability DEWA is keen to train competitive UAE nationals. The training programmes aim to qualify a large number of UAE nationals to meet DEWA’s needs. DEWA’s training programmes are: The Leadership Programme with “Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government” (The Frontiers Programme): An innovative and integrated programme that aims to prepare leaders and mid-management staff with continuing educational initiatives. * Future Leadership Programme for DEWA’s deputy managers and Assistant Managers. * Women Leadership Programme: Aims to develop management and leadership skills of female employees * ‘Masar’ training programme for new Emirati staff in Customer Relations Department. * Continuous job training. * Educational programmes and specialised courses with global standards. * Scholarships for UAE employees to attend training courses, workshops and conferences outside the UAE. Appreciating Emirati Employees DEWA is keen to reward the efforts of Emirati staff through a series of awards and appreciation ceremonies held throughout the year to encourage them to achieve outstanding results. Through such appreciation, DEWA aims to raise job satisfaction, loyalty and the sense of belonging of its employees as they are backbone of DEWA.