Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
A total of 578 high school students in Abu Dhabi gained hands-on workplace experience during the summer break through an initiative launched by the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK).
ADEK said in a statement that it had expanded its Work Placement Programme for summer 2026 as part of its efforts to equip students with skills for future employment and strengthen the connection between education and the workplace.
The department collaborated with 23 companies and organisations in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain to provide placements in sectors including hospitality, banking, healthcare and technology.
The programme attracted more than 2,900 applications from students seeking workplace experience beyond the classroom. It was expanded following a pilot conducted last year and in response to increased demand from students, the statement said.
The placements gave participants an opportunity to experience professional working environments, explore occupations matching their interests and understand employers’ expectations.
ADEK said the initiative was intended to help students “explore career pathways and make more informed decisions about their futures”.
The supervised placements lasted between one and two weeks and were conducted during the school break. Each placement was jointly designed by ADEK and the participating organisation around specified learning objectives.
The programme was structured to ensure that students undertook “meaningful responsibilities rather than simply observing the workplace”, the statement said.
Before starting their placements, students attended a preparatory session covering professional conduct, workplace expectations and UAE values. They also took part in a workshop delivered by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation on the potential effect of artificial intelligence on the future of work.
ADEK said feedback received from students, parents, school career counsellors and participating companies indicated that the programme helped build students’ confidence and workplace skills. It also enabled employers to contribute to developing Abu Dhabi’s future workforce, the statement added.
