Dubai: It’s never too late for Emirati women to continue their learning experience and enter the workforce.

A programme by the College of Islamic and Arabic Studies in Dubai called ‘Injaz’ (Arabic for achievement) is giving Emirati women of all paths of life the opportunity to enhance their basic skills and develop their knowledge in different areas, in order to meet job market requirements.

The programme, a joint partnership between the college and the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), was first launched in 2013 in Dubai, and was expanded to Fujairah this year to help women in the eastern region.

“Injaz aims to empower Emirati women of all ages and stages of life who want to work by preparing them with the right skills to find jobs — it’s never too late,” said Dr Mohammad Abd Al Rahman, Vice Chancellor of the college in an exclusive interview with Gulf News.

The programme currently has 140 students enrolled in the Dubai Injaz programme, and 300 students in Fujariah.

Injaz is also funded by Juma Al Majid, Director of the College of Islamic and Arabic Studies and is in line with the ‘Absher’ initiative launched by President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The Absher initiative is designed to promote emiratisation and help get more Emiratis into the job market.

Free of charge and exclusive to Emirati women, the three-semester programme, which is 18 weeks long, offers courses and classes in Arabic and English communication skills, computer skills, math skills, works skills, and job specific skills, said Al Rahman. Students enrolled acquire 25 hours of classes per week.

He explained that the Injaz certificate in work readiness programme is beneficial to high school female graduates, as it increases their employment opportunities.

It also benefits those who decide to continue their higher education and are seeking to develop their skills.

The programme is also available to all Emirati women over the age of 18, such as house wives, and middle aged women who have decided to start working or to re-enter the job market.

“The work placement training is designed for both private and public sector jobs, and transportation is also offered to all the enrolled students for free.”

Mother of two, 32 year-old Fatima Al Shamsi decided to join the programme with the aim of entering the work force.

“I wanted to start something new in my life that I can use to help myself, my family and my country- and Injaz provided me with the opportunity,” Fatima said.

The Ajman resident said she uses the transportation bus provided by the college to attend the courses.

“The IT and works skills classes in particular, I would say, have changed the lives of many women,” she said. Fatima aims to search for a job in customer service after she gets her certificate at the Injaz programme.

Another enrolled student 27 year-old Amna Ganem, said she has especially developed her communication skills and etiquette.

“I have learnt a lot from the programme from communication in Arabic and English, to IT and basic math skills.”

Amna is aiming to look for a job opportunity after she completes her third semester in the start of next year, before continuing with her higher education.

Towards the end of their last semester, students also have the option to get first-hand experience of working in a company for two months.