Programme creates long-term private-sector career pathways for young Emiratis.
Emirati students in Grades 9 to 12 are gaining early insight into careers in the private sector through an Al-Futtaim initiative designed to support UAE Nationals from their school years through to management and senior leadership positions.
Around 300 Emiratis participate in the company’s SINYAR talent development programme annually, while Emiratisation across Al-Futtaim’s UAE operations currently stands at 20 per cent.
About 70 per cent of SINYAR participants are part of Explorer, a programme specifically designed for students in Grades 9 to 12.
Explorer gives young Emiratis early exposure to different working environments, emerging skills and potential career paths before they enter the workforce. The initiative is intended to help students make more informed choices about their education and future careers.
Five stages of development
SINYAR is structured around five stages — Explorer, Graduate, Manager, Leader and Elite — each tailored to a different phase of an individual’s career journey.
Following the school-focused Explorer stage, the programme supports graduates as they transition into the workplace and later provides development opportunities for employees progressing into management and senior leadership roles.
Participants also have opportunities to gain experience across Al-Futtaim’s various businesses and functions, helping them develop a broader range of skills beyond a single field.
According to the company, advancement through the programme is determined by an individual’s potential, readiness and performance at work.
Mira Al Futtaim, Chairwoman of Emiratisation at Al-Futtaim and Chief Future Education Officer at Al-Futtaim Education Foundation, said the company’s aim goes beyond providing employment opportunities for UAE Nationals, with a focus on helping them establish sustainable careers in the private sector.
She said this requires engaging Emiratis at an early stage, maintaining consistent investment in their development and providing opportunities to acquire the experience and capabilities needed for their future careers.
Al-Futtaim’s Emiratisation efforts date back to 1992, with the company introducing a range of employment, training and professional development initiatives for UAE Nationals over the years.
SINYAR is designed to provide Emiratis with a continuous career pathway, beginning during their school years and extending through their transition into the workforce and subsequent progression into management and leadership positions.
