The Dubai Customs’ Dubai Logistics Academy has announced today the launch of the first cohort of the “Certified Specialist in Customs and Trade Operations” program, developed in collaboration with Nafis.
This initiative is part of Dubai Customs’ ongoing efforts to support a sustainable economic environment by empowering and upskilling Emirati talent for roles in the private logistics sector and increasing Emiratization within the industry.
“This program is a key component of Masar33, one of Dubai Customs’ strategic initiatives aligned with the economic and social targets of Dubai’s D33 Agenda. It focuses on equipping Emirati youth with both academic knowledge and practical skills for long-term, meaningful integration into the private workforce,” stated Mohammed Al Ghaffari, executive director, human resources division at Dubai Customs.
Program to guarantee job placements in logistics
The Dubai Customs’ Certified Specialist in Customs and Trade Operations program spans 32 days, comprising 27 days of classroom training and 5 days of hands-on practical training. It is accredited by the U.K.-based Continuing Professional Development (CPD) institute, a globally recognized authority in professional education, underscoring the program’s high quality and industry relevance.
The program covers key topics including customs procedures and the Unified Customs Law, Mirsal 2 system, trade agreements and rules of origin, Incoterms, trade documentation, customs valuation and compliance standards, land, air, and sea freight operations, supply chain security standards and basics of handling customs data.
Upon successful completion, participants will receive the Certified Specialist in Customs and Trade Operations certificate, qualifying them for a range of roles such as freight forwarding and clearance agents, import/export specialists, customs compliance officers, operations staff and business development professionals.
“Partnering with the private sector is essential to building a qualified national workforce capable of leading our strategic industries. We’ve developed a fully funded, comprehensive training program that concludes with guaranteed job placements at leading logistics companies,” added Al Ghaffari.
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Masar33 initiative to empower qualified national workforce
The Certified Specialist in Customs and Trade Operations program is part of Dubai Customs’ Masar33 initiative, which encompasses an academic scholarship program that offers participants the chance to earn university degrees in fields such as trade, customs and logistics, including a master’s in digital trade and supply chain management. Fourteen students are currently enrolled.
It also offers a professional training program for customs inspectors, which has welcomed 84 Emirati high school graduates who undergo seven months of intensive training before taking on inspection duties. In addition, it includes a logistics sector training track, created to prepare citizens for roles in logistics service companies through collaboration with the Dubai Logistics Academy.