Arab Youth Centre and New Economy Academy Launch Training for 400 Young Arabs

The first cohort of 100 participants started training in Dubai on Tuesday. The programme runs in four cohorts during November, delivered online and in Arabic, with participants from across the Arab world. The opening cohort runs on 3 and 4 November, followed by cohorts on 10–11, 17–18 and 24–25 November. Each completes eight hours of training over two days, and participants who finish receive electronic certificates from the AYC and NEA.

What It Covers

The curriculum is built around four themes. The first covers the foundations of the new economy, including how data, artificial intelligence, blockchain and digital infrastructure are changing business operations, along with financial innovation and inclusion. The second looks at technology's effect on industries and labour markets, including the platform and gig economies. The third combines the green and circular economies with the AI economy and its governance, including the ethical use of technology in decision-making. The fourth deals with the experience and creative economies.

NEA will deliver the sessions through specialist trainers and experts, according to WAM.

"Investing in young people's knowledge and capabilities is essential to building more diverse and competitive Arab economies," said Fatima Al Hallami, Executive Director of the AYC. She said the partnership aims to help young Arabs "make informed career decisions and establish businesses that meet their communities' needs."

Why It Matters

The programme is small in scale and short, but it reflects a wider effort by UAE institutions to prepare young people across the region for labour markets being changed by AI and digital platforms. The National described it as part of a broader push across the Arab world to equip younger generations for jobs shaped by digitalisation, sustainability and the creative industries. It follows several UAE AI-skills initiatives announced this week, including agentic AI training for health and banking staff.