To support Emiratization targets and enrich the labour market with promising national talent.

The Ministry of Culture and the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council (Nafis) have announced their ‘Creatives Programme’ to train and employ UAE nationals in the cultural and creative industries. Companies working with the Ministry of Culture can register on the Nafis platform, including recruitment companies, to provide training and employment opportunities for nationals in private companies operating in the cultural and creative sector.

This collaboration aims to employ 500 Emiratis annually from those registered on the “Nafis” platform in the cultural and creative industries sector over a period of three years to empower talented nationals and enhance their participation in the private sector.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) will encourage private sector companies to join the programme and support its promotion and encourage participation. MoHRE will also organise workshops for the private sector companies to explain how to participate in the programme. The ‘Nafis’ programme will work in collaboration with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, welcoming those interested in registering based on the standards and conditions.

His Excellency Mubarak Al Nakhi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, said: “Through this collaboration, we seek to achieve the country’s vision to boost the cultural and creative sector and provide opportunities for talented UAE nationals in various fields within this sector. Our goal is to achieve the nation’s vision and aspirations to foster a strong creative sector. We aim to invest in Emirati capacity building and experiences, to make a positive contribution to the nation’s economy and further boost its growth.”

HE added: “Our leadership has always been keen to invest in youth and expand their talents to help them make an effective contribution to the nation’s development. In addition to foreign expertise and skills, the UAE is home to highly competent national talent with vast experience and knowledge, looking for the right opportunities to achieve their aspirations and leverage their skills. We look forward to this collaboration as a way to accomplish our national aspirations by enhancing the local workforce.”

Her Excellency Ayesha Mohammed Belharfia, Undersecretary for Emiratisation Affairs at MoHRE, said: “The cooperation agreement between the Ministry of Culture and Nafis is an important step in the Emiratisation journey of the UAE. We are proud to have achieved remarkable success since the launch of the Nafis programme, with most economic sectors witnessing a tangible increase in the number of Emirati citizens joining them. This agreement further strengthens our efforts in the journey towards enhancing the cultural and artistic landscape of our country and supporting young Emiratis to become leaders and innovators in this vital field.”

HE added, “Through this initiative, we are working to open new horizons for citizens to explore job opportunities in various fields within the arts and culture sectors, in line with our vision to build a diverse knowledge economy based on creativity and innovation. This will also help meet the aspirations of talented citizens and individuals with artistic skills.”

She continued: “Integrating national talent in the cultural and arts sector contributes to strengthening the UAE’s position as a global cultural hub, as well as enhancing its national identity and rich cultural heritage. We look forward to the valuable contributions that our Emirati youth will make in developing the artistic and cultural sector which, in turn, will help cement our nation’s leadership position in the fields of creativity and innovation.”

His Excellency Ghannam Al Mazrouei, Secretary-General of Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council, said: “This cooperation reflects Nafis’ keenness to implement the directives of the wise leadership towards enhancing government support to boost participation of national talent in specialised sectors within private sector companies. By providing employment and training opportunities in companies working with the Ministry of Culture and through the Nafis platform, we aim to qualify Emirati talent in the cultural and creative industries sector. This will enrich the workforce with a continuous supply of creative and talented nationals with practical experience.”

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