June 5, 2007
Abu Dhabi
Ducab, a leading manufacturer of high-quality power cables in the Middle East, today signed an agreement with the Vocational Education Development Centre (VEDC) which operates under the umbrella of the Institute of Applied Technology (IAT). The agreement outlines the broad principles that will enable Ducab and the IAT to work in collaboration to deliver quality vocational training in the UAE to VEDC students and Ducab stakeholders.

Mr. Walter Bailey, Ducab Managing Director, signed the agreement with Dr. Abdullatif Mohamed Al Shamsi, Managing Director of IAT, at Ducab’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi, with the attendance of a number of officials from each party.

Following the signing ceremony, Mr. Walter Bailey, Ducab Managing Director, said: “This very important MOU that we are signing today with VEDC will enable us to provide on the job training for hundreds of Emiratis as part of their vocational training and development.  Many of these Emiratis we intend to take into full time employment once they have completed their training.”

He added: “The more capable young Emiratis, we will encourage to go on to graduate and management training and employ them as qualified engineers and managers, once they have graduated.”

Dr. Abdullatif Mohamed AlShamsi, Managing Director of the Institute of Applied Technology (IAT), confirmed that this agreement will provide Ducab with a promising generation of qualified human resources.  He added:  “This agreement aims at preparing this generation of Emiratis with professional vocational skills, according to the highest international standards using practiced international techniques.  The programme’s blend of personal development, academic and vocational education and work related skills training will prepare our students for life in the workplace.”

The VEDC is a new and exciting project, designed as an alternative to mainstream national curriculum education for Emirati teenage boys.  The VEDC is based in Zayed Military City and is staffed by a mixture of UAE military, former western military personnel and civilian academic and vocational staff.

The Vocational Education Development Centre’s mission is to provide an alternative (vocational) education for Emirati boys where they can develop their characters, academic and vocational skills so that they have a better chance of succeeding in the workplace.