UAE: Free programme to help unemployed expats find jobs

Dubai - It is open only to those who lost their jobs because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

A group of entrepreneurs in Dubai is hoping to help people who lost their jobs to Covid-19 — with a five-week skills improvement programme. The online course will be free of charge and, by the end of it, five individuals will be offered employment.

Set to kick off on April 1, the ‘Finding Light Now’ initiative was launched by psychologist and life coach Hiba Balfaqih. She described the course as a ‘Big Brother meets the Apprentice’ learning initiative, aiming to help unemployed men and women develop their mind, body, spirit, and social skills to gain new employable skills.

Applicants will have to prove they have lost their jobs because of the pandemic, since the programme is not open to those who are currently employed.

“Candidates will be selected to engage in a transformation programme through a wide range of workshops, mentoring and coaching to help them grow and improve their mindset,” Balfaqih told Khaleej Times.

According to the International Labour Organisation, global unemployment increased by 33 million in 2020, resulting in widespread mental health disorders. With the CSR initiative , the group hopes to help people find their way and overcome their limiting beliefs, said Balfaqih, a serial entrepreneur with over 10 years of experience in human resources.

Five candidates will be hired

At the end of the programme, five candidates will be hired by entrepreneurs who have partnered with Balfaqih. “These are entrepreneurs who run their businesses and have opened up vacancies towards the cause. Positions include assistants, social media personnel, content writers, etc.,” she said.

The course is broken down into five stages. “Stage one is personal discovery, where individuals are encouraged to realise their life’s purpose and things they are passionate about.”