ISIDORA CIRIC (ABU DHABI)
The UAE has long prioritised the empowerment of women and youth as a cornerstone of its national vision, with national initiatives and corporate programmes aimed at nurturing future leaders and building a more inclusive workforce. Dubai Holding's Leaders of Tomorrow graduate programme plays a big role in this drive through its focus on advancing the careers of young Emirati professionals.
Fatma Hussain, Chief People Officer at Dubai Holding, emphasised the company's commitment to developing the country's future leaders.
"The Leaders of Tomorrow Graduate Programme was born out of our commitment to invest in and develop top Emirati talent. It has been designed to equip fresh graduates with real-world experiences by upskilling them as they chart a pathway towards their future," Hussain told Aletihad in an interview.
Designed to align with the UAE's national agenda of youth empowerment, the programme offers Emirati graduates a unique platform to thrive in diverse sectors, contributing to the nation's vision of fostering a knowledge-based economy.
"Our vision has always aligned with the UAE's national agenda, which recognises the youth as critical to the long-term prosperity of the country," Hussain added.
A Platform for Emirati Women
Advancing the careers of Emirati women and encouraging them to take on leadership roles is a key aspect of the programme, according to Hussain. She revealed that over the last three cohorts, 60% of participants were Emirati women.
"Our initiatives are designed to ensure that women are not only represented but thriving in leadership positions," Hussain explained, stressing Dubai Holding's commitment to fostering gender diversity at all levels and creating a more inclusive and dynamic workforce that can respond to the evolving needs of the global economy.
The company has created multiple avenues to support this mission, including the Dubai Holding Women's Network, which boasts more than 700 members. This network provides a platform where female employees can exchange insights and find the resources needed to excel in their careers. Dubai Holding's workforce itself reflects this push towards inclusivity, with 23% of its employees being UAE nationals, nearly half of whom are Emirati women.
Nurturing Future Leaders Through Real-world Experience
Beyond its focus on women, the Leaders of Tomorrow programme aims to nurture the broader talent pool of Emirati youth. The 12-month initiative is designed to provide young professionals with valuable, hands-on experience across various sectors, including real estate, asset management, hospitality, and entertainment.
"We focus on leadership development from day one, equipping young talent with the skills needed to not just meet market demands but to lead transformation," Hussain noted.
The programme goes beyond technical training, ensuring participants are exposed to real-world business challenges. "We ensure that participants develop not only expertise in their field but also the ability to think critically and strategically, and in a way that drives desirable outcomes," she explained.
Graduates benefit from access to professional mentorship, job shadowing, and leadership development right from the start. Many alumni of the Leaders of Tomorrow programme have gone on to hold senior positions, such as Chief Executive Officer, Vice President, and Executive Director, according to Hussain.
In addition to the Leaders of Tomorrow initiative, Dubai Holding also offers a Director Development Programme that prepares Emirati professionals for high-level leadership roles. "We invest heavily in the ongoing development of our Emirati employees. To date, 37% of those who completed the programme were Emiratis, providing them with a platform to step into more senior roles," Hussain added.
Engaging with Emirati Talent at Ru'ya Careers Fair
Dubai Holding is currently taking part in the Ru'ya Careers Fair from September 24-26, an event that gives skilled Emirati professionals an opportunity to connect with employers, share their aspirations, and learn about the skills they will need to succeed.
"We see the fair as a great opportunity for us to connect with the next generation of Emirati talent. It is also an important chance for us as employers to listen to what they want and expect from their workplaces," Hussain noted, stressing that such opportunities are viewed as a two-way conversation, ensuring that both sides understand the expectations and ambitions of the future workforce.
She invited young Emirati talent to visit Dubai Holding's stand at Ru'ya and engage directly with senior leaders from Dubai Holding, learn about career development programmes and the company's operational landscape, and hear from talented Emirati colleagues.
Hussain believes that such initiatives go beyond just career building - they are about shaping the broader cultural and societal narrative around youth leadership.
"Youth empowerment is at the heart of the national agenda, and our efforts at Dubai Holding are designed to contribute to that broader narrative," she said, reiterating the group's commitment to supporting the Emiratisation drive and strengthening the UAE's position as a leading destination for top talent from around the world.