The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) has introduced a series of new talent development programs aimed at accelerating Emirati leadership in high-impact industrial roles. Announced during the Make it in the Emirates Forum 2025, these initiatives serve as a fundamental pillar of Abu Dhabi’s long-term industrial strategy, equipping the national workforce with essential capabilities in AI, Industry 4.0, and sustainable manufacturing.
These new pathways, WAM reported, are crafted to prepare UAE nationals for high-value roles and leadership positions, driving innovation and productivity within the emirate’s manufacturing landscape. ADIO’s new talent programs support the Abu Dhabi Industrial Strategy 2031 and signify a decisive move to embed world-class skills within the local workforce, propelling Abu Dhabi’s emergence as a global hub for industries that will define the future.
To bridge the divide between training and employment, ADIO is collaborating with the UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) to host a dedicated Industrialists Career Fair during the Make it in the Emirates Forum. This initiative aims to directly place over 100 Emiratis into strategic roles within Abu Dhabi’s industrial sector, forming part of a broader effort to enhance national participation in the emirate’s economic transformation.
In partnership with Rabdan Academy, one of Abu Dhabi’s premier academic institutions for safety, security, defense, emergency preparedness, and crisis management, ADIO also plans to implement an Upskilling Talent Development Program for more than 100 Emiratis currently employed in the industrial sector. This initiative is designed to promote professional growth, enhance productivity, and establish a robust career path for UAE talent at all levels.
Building skilled Emirati workforce
A cornerstone of the launch is the Industry 4.0 and Sustainability training program, developed in collaboration with EDGE Learning Innovation Factory and TÜV SÜD. Furthermore, this hands-on, globally accredited program will emphasize automation, digital systems, and sustainable production, creating a pipeline of highly skilled Emiratis to lead in next-generation manufacturing. It is anticipated to generate 1,000 new employment opportunities for UAE nationals by 2031.
Mohammad Al Kamali, chief industry and trade officer at ADIO, stated, “Our talent programs are a direct investment in the next generation of nation-builders. By embedding critical skills within our workforce and unlocking global pathways for talent, we are reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s competitive advantage and enabling UAE nationals to lead the future of industrial advancement, not just locally, but globally.”
Moreover, ADIO’s programs represent a strategic approach rooted in sustainable industrial growth, powered by local expertise. Abu Dhabi is cultivating a resilient, export-driven economy grounded in knowledge, fueled by innovation, and led by national talent, laying the foundation for the emirate’s diverse economic future.
