Graduate Programmes and Training for UAE Nationals: Verified Directory
This directory lists programmes for Emiratis that we have checked against an official page or a named report, with eligibility, location, format and a status: Open, Upcoming, Ongoing, Active programme, Not a single intake or Intake not confirmed. We only show a programme as open when an official page shows a live application route or a dated window that has not closed. Apply only through the official link.
Every record was checked on 13 October 2026. Listings are free and never paid, and no partner can change how programmes are ranked. Employers and programme owners can submit or correct a listing at partner@strongyes.co.
| Status | What it means |
|---|---|
| Open | An official page shows a live application route or a dated window that has not closed |
| Upcoming | Officially announced with a future date |
| Ongoing | Registration is continuous, such as a jobs platform |
| Active programme | The programme runs, but a current intake is not established |
| Not a single intake | A broad initiative or several routes; check individual vacancies or institutions |
| Intake not confirmed | The next intake or application window needs confirming with the provider |
Bedaya
Active programme Graduate programme
Rotations, a three-phase learning plan and bi-monthly reviews. Emirates NBD shows an application route; check the form is live before applying.
| Provider | Emirates NBD |
| Who can apply | Emirati university graduates with a bachelor's degree or higher and no or very limited work experience |
| Where and how | Dubai; In person, 12 months |
| Dates | Not published |
| Last checked | 13 October 2026 |
Ethraa
Intake not confirmed Graduate programme
No registration fee. Specialisations include credit, fintech, compliance, risk, cybersecurity, accounting and audit.
| Provider | Central Bank of the UAE and Emirates Institute of Finance |
| Who can apply | Recent Emirati graduates of accredited universities in finance, IT, digital, HR and marketing; male applicants must have completed national service |
| Where and how | UAE-wide; 12 months on an employment contract with a bank or insurer |
| Dates | Not published |
| Last checked | 13 October 2026 |
Emirates Group programmes for UAE nationals
Open School leavers
Seven routes including cadet pilots, aircraft maintenance licence, The Technologists, aviation management and airport services. Other routes open at different times.
| Provider | Emirates Group |
| Who can apply | UAE nationals; programme-specific age and grade rules (for example National Cadet Pilot Programme ages 18 to 26); valid UAE passport and Khulasat Al Qaid |
| Where and how | Dubai; Programme-specific, from 6 months to 5 years |
| Dates | National Scholarship Programme (Aviation Management) listing closes 23 October 2026 |
| Last checked | 13 October 2026 |
Flight Dispatcher Programme
Intake not confirmed Training
Next intake not confirmed. For Emirati high-school graduates, with Emirates Aviation University and the GCAA.
| Provider | flydubai with Emirates Aviation University |
| Who can apply | Emirati nationals; see provider for entry rules |
| Where and how | Dubai; Training programme |
| Dates | Applications opened 22 June 2026; first intake September 2026 |
| Last checked | 13 October 2026 |
Tomoh
Open Training
Microsoft programme for Emiratis in AI, cloud and data. Availability depends on the specific listing.
| Provider | Microsoft with MoHRE |
| Who can apply | Emiratis; see provider |
| Where and how | UAE-wide; Training, certification, internships, mentoring and bootcamps |
| Dates | Rolling applications for a January 2027 start, until places are filled |
| Last checked | 13 October 2026 |
ADNOC and Nafis supply chain jobs
Not a single intake Apprenticeship and jobs
An employment initiative, not one intake. Apply to individual roles listed on Nafis. Includes 1,000 vocational training places through the Nafis Apprentice Programme.
| Provider | ADNOC with Nafis |
| Who can apply | UAE nationals; roles across ADNOC's supply chain |
| Where and how | Mainly Abu Dhabi; Jobs and the Nafis Apprentice Programme |
| Dates | 25,000 private-sector jobs for UAE nationals by 2028: 11,500 created by July 2024 and 13,500 more planned |
| Last checked | 13 October 2026 |
Nafis jobs platform
Ongoing Official platform
Free registration; private-sector vacancies for UAE nationals and Nafis support applications.
| Provider | Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council |
| Who can apply | UAE nationals; sign in with UAE Pass |
| Where and how | UAE-wide; Online |
| Dates | Not published |
| Last checked | 13 October 2026 |
Nafis training and apprenticeships
Active programme Apprenticeship and jobs
Specific placements are listed on the official platform.
| Provider | Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council |
| Who can apply | UAE nationals registered on Nafis |
| Where and how | UAE-wide; Training, apprenticeship and on-the-job programmes |
| Dates | Not published |
| Last checked | 13 October 2026 |
Future Step Portal
Active programme Training
Portal is active; individual placements vary. FAHR states training does not guarantee direct employment.
| Provider | Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) |
| Who can apply | University students and fresh graduates |
| Where and how | Federal government entities, UAE-wide; 3-month practical training; online applications and tracking |
| Dates | Not published |
| Last checked | 13 October 2026 |
Ghatareef (National Readiness Programme)
Active programme School leavers
First cohort under way; next intake not confirmed. Tracks: defence, protection and AI; health and care; sustainability and vital services.
| Provider | Federal Youth Authority |
| Who can apply | Recent Emirati high school graduates aged 17 to 19 |
| Where and how | Seven education sites across the UAE; 11 months with stipends, certificates and practical training |
| Dates | First phase announced 2 September 2026 with 1,280 participants |
| Last checked | 13 October 2026 |
Teaching Specialists' Programme
Active programme Training
A 2026 intake is not confirmed; check Nafis.
| Provider | Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council (Nafis) |
| Who can apply | Emirati jobseekers with a bachelor's degree in education, registered on Nafis |
| Where and how | UAE-wide; Training, bridging and professional accreditation for private education |
| Dates | 1,000 Emirati teaching specialists a year, 2024 to 2027 |
| Last checked | 13 October 2026 |
Technical and vocational routes (ACTVET, HCT, NIVE, ADVETI, ADNOC Technical Academy, Emirates Aviation University)
Not a single intake Technical and vocational route
Practical routes that lead to technician and engineering careers.
| Provider | Various institutions listed by the UAE Government |
| Who can apply | Varies by institution; secondary technical school is open to UAE citizens |
| Where and how | UAE-wide; Diplomas, technical training and applied degrees |
| Dates | Not published |
| Last checked | 13 October 2026 |
ADNOC scholarship programme
Intake not confirmed Scholarship
Linked from the UAE Government portal.
| Provider | ADNOC |
| Who can apply | See provider; eligibility is not listed on the government page |
| Where and how | Abu Dhabi; Scholarship |
| Dates | Not published |
| Last checked | 13 October 2026 |
National Work Experience Platform
Active programme Training
Passed 1,000 opportunities in 2026. Check individual opportunities on the platform.
| Provider | Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research |
| Who can apply | Emirati students |
| Where and how | UAE-wide; Work experience with public and private employers |
| Dates | Not published |
| Last checked | 13 October 2026 |
Tawdheef x Zaheb 2026 career fair
Upcoming Career fair
Meet employers and graduate programmes in person.
| Provider | Informa, with national partners |
| Who can apply | Emirati job seekers |
| Where and how | Abu Dhabi (ADNEC); In person |
| Dates | 17 to 19 November 2026 |
| Last checked | 13 October 2026 |
Official services
- UAE Skills platform, MoHRE and MoHESR. Official national platform connecting education, skills and labour-market information. StrongYes is independent and not affiliated.
Frequently asked questions
01What graduate programmes are there for UAE nationals?
Examples include Emirates NBD's Bedaya and the Central Bank's Ethraa in banking, Emirates Group's programmes for UAE nationals in aviation, ADNOC's supply-chain jobs with Nafis in energy, Microsoft's Tomoh in technology, FAHR's Future Step training in federal entities, and Nafis training and apprenticeships.
02Are there programmes for school leavers?
Yes. Emirates Group runs routes for Grade 12 graduates, the Federal Youth Authority's Ghatareef programme is for recent high school graduates aged 17 to 19, and technical and vocational institutions offer diplomas and applied training.
03Is there a fee to join?
Genuine programmes do not charge candidates. Apply only through the official link.
Sources
- Future Step Portal. Federal Authority for Government Human Resources.
- Ghatareef launches first phase. Federal Youth Authority, 2 September 2026.
- Teaching Specialists' Programme. UAE Government portal.
- Technical and vocational education. UAE Government portal.
- Ethraa. Emirates Institute of Finance.
- Emirates Group: programmes for UAE nationals. Emirates Group.
This page explains UAE Emiratisation rules for general information. It is not legal advice. Rules change, so confirm against the official MoHRE, Nafis or Central Bank source linked above before acting. StrongYes is an independent publication and is not affiliated with MoHRE, Nafis, the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council or any UAE government body. Full disclaimer.