Two-Week Programme Harnesses Retirees’ Experience to Strengthen Emirati Talent.
Dubai: More than 120 Emirati retirees have started a specialised training programme organised by Dubai’s Security Industry Regulatory Agency (SIRA), as part of efforts to bring experienced national professionals into the private security sector.
Launched on Monday, the programme marks the first training phase of SIRA’s Emirati workforce qualification initiative, introduced earlier this year. The initiative seeks to make use of the knowledge and experience of retired Emiratis while expanding their role in Dubai’s private security industry.
The two-week programme is being conducted at the Security Cadres Training Centre and involves trainers and specialists from both military and civilian institutions.
Participants will undergo a combination of classroom instruction and practical training aimed at developing their professional capabilities and preparing them for employment opportunities across the private security sector.
The initiative drew significant interest from Emirati retirees across the UAE, receiving more than 400 applications after SIRA announced the programme in January 2026 and opened a dedicated registration platform.
Following placement and competency assessments conducted in July, more than 120 candidates were selected to take part in the specialised qualification programme.
Khalifa Ibrahim Al Sulais, Chief Executive Officer of SIRA, said the initiative demonstrates the agency’s commitment to investing in Emirati expertise and creating meaningful opportunities for retirees to remain active and continue contributing their knowledge and experience to society.
Al Sulais described Emirati retirees as an important national resource, pointing to the extensive knowledge, professional experience and practical skills they have accumulated throughout their careers.
He said the initiative aims to channel that expertise into Dubai’s private security sector, allowing retirees to continue serving the wider community while also increasing the participation of Emirati talent across the industry.
At the programme’s opening session, Engineer Arif Al Janahi, Security Adviser at SIRA, welcomed the participants and emphasised that their experience remains valuable to the country. He said their years of expertise represent an important national resource and that retirees can continue playing a meaningful role in supporting the UAE’s security and stability.
Engineer Khalid Al Hammadi, Director of Standards and Control at SIRA, said the qualification programme followed an extensive selection process. More than 400 applications were initially received, with candidates undergoing skills assessments and readiness evaluations before the final group was selected for training.
Al Hammadi said the programme has been structured to combine classroom instruction with hands-on training, giving participants both theoretical knowledge and practical experience. Specialists from military and civilian institutions are delivering the course to ensure retirees are prepared for the next stage and meet the professional standards required by the private security industry.
SIRA said the initiative is designed to strengthen the skills of Emirati retirees, improve their readiness for employment opportunities and make effective use of the professional expertise they have gained over the years.
The training phase represents a key milestone in the initiative, providing participants with the knowledge and competencies needed to take on new roles and continue contributing to the development of Dubai’s private security sector while supporting the wider community.
