Al Ain Wildlife Park & Resort (AWPR) has announced today the launch of a new Summer Training programme for young Emiratis. To begin this July, the programme is part of AWPR’s ongoing commitment to employ local talent throughout the zoo, supporting the nation’s Emiratization goals and objectives and bringing substantial benefits to the UAE community through professional development opportunities.

Through the Summer Training programme, AWPR is delighted to extend around a dozen training opportunities during the month of July in various business disciplines such as Animal Collection, Veterinary Operations, Park Operations, Guest Relations, Education Centre, Finance, General Services & Administration, IT, HR and Marketing & Communications. This initiative will cater to a variety of community members based on available opportunities at the zoo.

The new Summer Training is an important addition to AWPR’s extensive internship programme for Emirati students – who come to the organisation every year from various academic institutions in Al Ain and Abu Dhabi. Since its inception in 2010, AWPR’s internship programme has provided more than 40 internship opportunities to students from different academic institutions including Higher Colleges of Technology, UAE University, Al Ain University, Abu Dhabi Vocational Education and Training Institute and Abu Dhabi University.

To further highlight AWPR’s involvement in empowering UAE’s youth, Ghanim Mubarak Al Hajeri, Director General of AWPR, explained,

“The Summer Training and internship programmes at AWPR are key elements of our Nationalization Programme as they showcase the many ways in which AWPR can offer a rewarding career for Emiratis – whether it is an administrative role at our head office or a more specialized position within the zoo working with the animals. We are confident that through these efforts, local youth have access to the significant benefits that come with working in an organization like ours, and we pride ourselves in having the ability to offer such a range of positive opportunities to our country’s homebred talent.”

In addition to the valuable work experience that these programmes provide to participants, some of the students prove to be valuable assets to the organization and eventually become full-time employees at AWPR.

Commenting on the employment of UAE Nationals, Mariam Al Shamsi, HR Director at AWPR said,

“In 2011 alone, AWPR has hired 21 UAE Nationals, 13 of which have already begun employment, with more expected over the summer. Our growing pool of Emirati talent and the extensive training we offer is testament to AWPR’s commitment to employing great local talent and supporting the local community.”

Over the past three years, AWPR’s Nationalization Programme has been a framework for actively recruiting talented UAE Nationals. Once employed, AWPR ensures the continued development of UAE Nationals by providing professional advancement opportunities at all levels during their careers within AWPR including language training, organizational skills training, technical skills training, and leadership development, among others.

Ghanim Mubarak Al Hajeri, Director General of AWPR, continued;

“AWPR is liaising with internationally renowned Leadership and Technical Development Schools in Europe and the US to establish comprehensive short- and long-term development programmes that cater for the requirements of UAE Nationals. The first training programme to be offered in the future will address Animal Management and Recreation Operation Management. In addition, we are collaborating with our strategic Partner San Diego Zoo to establish an “On the job”-training programme.”

AWPR has also been engaging the UAE community through its participation in local events and fairs. For example, AWPR has teamed up with Tawteen and Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) to host an annual “Taster Day” at the zoo, which in 2010 drew in 15 fresh Emirati graduates to see what a job at a zoo really involves. The tour introduced participants to the tourism sector and educated them about the diverse range of potential career opportunities within the field.

For more information on the Summer Training Programme, or any of AWPR’s internship and job opportunities, please e-mail the HR department at internship@awpr.ae.

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