Overview
"Yes to Work" is a program designed for Emirati students to provide them with practical training opportunities in the private sector during academic breaks. The program aims to empower Emirati youth to acquire the skills and experiences necessary to enter the workforce and succeed in the labor market. It also helps expand their knowledge and enhance their personal and professional relationships.
The "Yes to Work" program provides the private sector with an opportunity to get to know ambitious and hardworking Emirati youth, aged 15 to 24, and offer them practical training opportunities in various fields such as sales, marketing, customer service, warehouse management, and other areas in the retail, tourism, and hospitality sectors. This is done in collaboration with more than 10 partners across 300 locations in the country.
Through the "Yes to Work" program, the Abu Dhabi Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ACTVET) aims to provide real work experience for youth, which helps develop the skills and knowledge of participating students, paving the way for their future. The program contributes to empowering youth in leadership, innovation, and success, ensuring they gain diverse experiences in fields that align with student's interests, such as business management, technology, and other sectors.
Additionally, the program helps participants develop the skills needed to succeed in entrepreneurship by familiarizing them with various procedures in the private sector, dealing with clients and their behaviours, and many essential factors for success in the world of entrepreneurship.
Objectives
- Cultivating love for work and a sense of responsibility toward the country, as well as acquiring the necessary practical experience at an early age through real job opportunities.
- Motivating youth to consider establishing small businesses.
- Help students develop communication and customer service skills.
- Help students enhance their self-confidence and develop leadership.
- Ensures business continuity in the retail sector by empowering citizens to fill any vacancy in this sector.
- Help students obtain an accredited qualification in Retail Operations from the National Qualifications Authority.
Benefits
Participants will receive the following:
- An opportunity for training with major companies in the retail, tourism, hospitality, and other key sectors in the UAE.
- An opportunity to enhance their professional knowledge and practical experience.
- Participants will receive 12 volunteering hours each time they participate in the program.
Program Stages
The "Yes to Work" program consists of several stages, with each stage lasting two weeks during the academic breaks only. Participants can complete only one stage during each academic break.
Program Journey
-
Registration: Filling out the participation application form electronically through the "Yes to Work" program's webpage on ACTVET website.
-
Participant Selection: All applicants will be contacted to provide them with the dates for selecting their workplace based on their residence location via email and text messages.
-
Choosing the Workplace: The participant selects the suitable job vacancy, considering all the details related to the emirate, city, and one of the two shifts: morning or evening.
-
Guiding Participants: Participants will be introduced to all the rules and regulations, as well as the requirements of the "Yes to Work" program, and all inquiries related to participation in the program will be addressed. Additionally, participants in the "Yes to Work" program will be provided with an identification card and a vest, which must be worn during the training.
-
Practical Application (Part-time Work: Two Weeks): Students will undergo practical training for two weeks at one of the carefully selected private sector institutions, ensuring that the institution has a comprehensive work system capable of providing students with the necessary practical experience. This will enable them to perform all job-related tasks professionally and experience the actual work environment in the private sector.
-
Student Performance: The performance of participants and their electronic files on the platform
www.icampus.ac.ae will be evaluated by certified assessors to ensure the accuracy and validity of the evaluation, referring to the program's established criteria.
The evaluation process includes the following points:
- Attendance and absence.
- Adherence to the specified working hours.
- Completion of the participant's electronic student file on the
www.icampus.ac.ae platform and accomplishing all tasks required during the training period.
- Assessor’s observations during visits to the students at the workplace.
-
Issuance of Participation Certificate in the "Yes to Work" Program: A participation certificate will be issued to students who successfully complete the program.
Duration
The "Yes to Work" program is held twice a year, during the school holidays in the summer and winter.
Duration: Two weeks.
Shifts:
Morning shift: From 10:00 am to 3:30 pm
Afternoon shift: From 3:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Locations
The "Yes to Work" program is held at the following locations:
Abu Dhabi
Al Ain
Dubai
Sharjah
Ajman
Who can participate?
Criteria:
- The participant must be a citizen of the UAE or children of UAE female citizen.
- The age group must be between 15 – 24 years
How can you participate?
The dates and locations for the upcoming YES to Work Program will be announced in this section once they are confirmed.
A registration link will be provided for candidates to register for the program.
Conditions
The participant must be a citizen of the UAE or child of female citizen
The age group is between 15-24 years
Yes to Work Summer 2025
Empowering Youth to Lead and Innovate
The
"Yes to Work" program is back this summer to offer Emirati youth aged between 15 and 24 the opportunity to gain hands-on training and practical experience over a two-week period during the summer break. The program spans various sectors such as retail, tourism, and hospitality.
It aims to develop essential workplace skills, boost self-confidence, and lay a strong foundation for a successful future career. Beyond instilling a strong work ethic, the program also fosters a sense of responsibility and encourages entrepreneurship among Emirati youth.
While the YES to Work program does not offer a salary or stipend, it provides valuable hands-on experience and learning opportunities that support participants’ professional growth and enhance their skill set.
Location: Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai, Sharjah & Ajman
Conditions
- The participant must be a citizen of the UAE or child of female citizen
- The age group is between 15-24 years
Date : 04 – 15 August 2025
Registration Steps
Stage 1
Download the UAE Pass app and create an account, as it is required for the registration process.
Stage 2
Click on the registration link for YES to Work on:
Register Now
Stage 3
You will be directed to the TAMM – YES to Work Dashboard. Sign in using your UAE Pass App.
To learn more about the YES to Work program, please visit the following link:
Yes to work
Yes to Work Winter 2025
Empowering Youth to Lead and Innovate
The
"Yes to Work" program returns in Winter 2025 for its 27th edition, providing Emirati youth aged 15 to 24 with two weeks of training and hands-on experience during their academic break, across key sectors such as retail, tourism, and hospitality.
It aims to develop essential workplace skills, boost self-confidence, and lay a strong foundation for a successful future career. Beyond instilling a strong work ethic, the program also fosters a sense of responsibility and encourages entrepreneurship among Emirati youth.
While the YES to Work program does not offer a salary or stipend, it provides valuable hands-on experience and learning opportunities that support participants’ professional growth and enhance their skill set.
Date :
22 December 2025 – 02 January
2026
Registration Open : 11 November 2025 - 11 December 2025
