Education & Research

Aldar Education to Hire 300 Emiratis in Abu Dhabi Schools Under New ADEK Partnership

Aldar Education plans to recruit more than 300 UAE nationals, including over 100 Emiratis entering the teaching profession for the first time, as part of a new partnership with Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge aimed at accelerating Emiratisation in the education sector.

The initiative seeks to significantly expand Emirati representation across school-based roles through a structured system of recruitment, internships, training, and long-term leadership development.

Officials said the collaboration is expected to deliver a “ninefold increase” in Emirati participation in key educational positions and marks the first partnership of its kind between ADEK and a private education provider.

According to Sahar Cooper, the programme represents a long-term transformation in how Emirati talent is nurtured within the education sector.

“Through this first-of-its-kind collaboration in the education sector, Aldar Education will work with ADEK towards hiring more than 300 UAE Nationals, including over 100 new-to-sector Emirati teachers,” Cooper said.

She described the initiative as a “structural shift” focused not only on recruitment but also on developing, deploying, and retaining Emirati teaching talent.

The programme introduces a comprehensive pipeline beginning with internships and classroom assistant roles before progressing into teaching, specialist, and leadership positions within Aldar schools.

As part of the initiative, Aldar Education plans to offer up to 30 internships annually and up to 40 classroom assistant opportunities each year to support early-career Emirati graduates.

Cooper added that the partnership aligns with the UAE’s broader vision of strengthening national identity and human capital development within schools.

She noted that Emirati educators play a critical role in promoting “identity, citizenship, belonging, and national consciousness” among students, while also supporting the national objective of ensuring Social Studies subjects are taught by Emirati teachers across Aldar schools within the next three years.

A major component of the initiative focuses on fast-tracking Emirati graduates into teaching careers through structured training and mentorship programmes.

According to Aldar Education, the programme combines pedagogical training, professional development, mentorship, and clear career progression pathways designed to help graduates succeed in modern educational environments.

The company also highlighted its internal development initiative, the Aldar Education GROW Teacher Pathway Programme, which identifies promising candidates and supports them through qualifications such as the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE).

The selection process evaluates leadership potential, communication skills, adaptability, safeguarding awareness, and alignment with school values in addition to academic capabilities.

Beyond classroom teaching, the initiative aims to prepare Emiratis for long-term specialist and leadership roles within the education sector.

Cooper explained that the education landscape increasingly requires professionals who can adapt to evolving teaching models, technological integration, student wellbeing priorities, inclusion frameworks, and future workforce demands.

She said the long-term vision is to create an “end-to-end national talent ecosystem within education,” enabling Emiratis to advance from entry-level positions into influential academic and leadership roles.

Retention also forms a central part of the strategy, with Aldar Education emphasizing that Emiratisation is intended as a long-term investment rather than a compliance-driven initiative.

The partnership will include joint governance mechanisms between ADEK and Aldar Education to monitor recruitment, retention, and career progression outcomes.

“Ultimately, the success of this initiative will not only be measured by how many Emirati teachers enter classrooms, but by how many remain, grow, specialise, and progress into influential leadership positions that help shape the future direction of education in the UAE,” Cooper said.