The Emirates Institute of Finance, a regional leader in banking & finance education and training, held a ceremony at its Dubai headquarters to unveil the launch of Cohort 2 of the“Ethraa” program scheduled to commence starting September 2023. This phase is dedicated aiming to train 800 Emiratis, from the recruited candidates of the 1st and 2nd“Ethraa” Career Fairs. After successfully completing their training programs, the candidates will graduate by the end of 2023, powered with the abilities required for a promising career path in the financial sector.

The event was inaugurated by H.E Saif Al Dhaheri, Assistant Governor of the Central Bank of the for Strategy, Financial Infrastructure and Digital Transformation and Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of the EIF and attended a number of CHRO's, and representatives of leading banks, and financial companies in the UAE.

The Cohort 2 consists of 22 specialized training pathways including, programming, finance and accounting, cybersecurity, compliance, data engineering and data analytics, auditing, financial technology (fintech), IT infrastructure and networks, human resources, product management, investment, project management, and underwriting and claims management.

Noura Alblooshi, Acting General Manager of the Emirates Institute of Finance, said,“Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in the 'Ethraa' program, which intends to hire and train 5,000 individuals for critical and leadership roles in the financial sectors by 2026. As EIF, we thank all those who participated for providing opportunities for our future leaders. Their reaction to the Central Bank's mandate was critical in attaining this new milestone in the country's Emiratization path. This achievement would not have been possible without the graciguidance of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Presidential Court and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Central Bank of the UAE.”

The“Ethraa” Career Fairs bridged the gap between financial sector and our future leaders. This has substantially influenced their decision to join the financial sector. By guiding them, sharpening their skills, and allowing them to gain practical experience through engagement with our partners, we've prepared them to work with towards continual learning. We are certain that they will carry out their responsibilities effectively, leading them to a bright and successful professional future.” Alblooshi continued.

By 2026, the“Ethraa” program intends to localize the financial industry by creating 5,000 job opportunities for Emiratis. The EIF held the first and second“Ethraa” Career Fairs in May and July. These career fairs sought to connect the candidates with important banks and leading companies in the financial sector. The career fairs aimed to provide around 2000 job opportunities. It exposed the top Emirati applicants to more than 60 significant banks, insurance companies, exchange houses, and finance houses. The career fairs saw 3,860 male and female attendees, with over 2,500 passing through evaluation and employment interviews.

About EIF:

The Emirates Institute of Finance (EIF) was founded in 1983. As a leading training center in the MENA and GCC regions, it offers world-class training and allied services in the critical areas of banking and finance. Based in the UAE, EIF currently has three campuses for education and training services located in Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The Institute has made substantial contributions to the careers of thousands of students and working professionals in the financial services sector. EIF is also a strong supporter of Emiratization and has launched variinitiatives that have greatly helped to promote the careers of Emiratis. All academic programs offered by EIF are accredited by the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA), Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. Students who have successfully completed these programs have found productive employment at varilevels in banks and financial institutions in the and around the world.

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