iCeGS guests of the British Council in the UAE
10 May 2010
Shermy Farzami, Education Project Manager with the British Council
A partnership between the British Council, Summit Career Management Services, which provides Careers Guidance, and iCeGS, recently held a series of well received workshops on Career Advice and Guidance in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
The workshops were facilitated by Siobhan Neary, Deputy Head of iCeGS (CPD) and professionals who are leading the strategic development and implementation of careers advice and guidance services in the UAE were involved in the workshops to inform strategic planning and the development of provision.
Delegates, all directors and managers within the education and guidance sector, considered best practice models from the United Kingdom and Australia, shared current practice in the UAE and identified gaps in essential support for Job Seekers and students seeking their first jobs.
Shermy Farzami, Education Project Manager with the British Council, was particularly pleased to be hosting the International Centre for Guidance Studies on their first visit to the UAE. She commented that 'the International Centre is at the leading edge of guidance activities at a national and international level and so we are delighted to work with them and Summit in our support for the development of Career Advice and Guidance across the UAE'
Following on from the strategic sessions Summit Career Management Services, based in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, lead two workshops for Careers Guidance practitioners to share resources, develop their skills and identify future opportunities for collaboration. Attendees at both workshops highlighted up-to-date Labour Market Information as essential to enable informed decision-making about further career opportunities; something which is currently not available in the UAE. Greater parental awareness about the wide range of career options, in an ever changing employment market, is also vital if parents are able to support young people effectively.
Sian Rees, General Manager with Summit, said she was delighted the British Council had given Summit the opportunity to work with such a committed group of professionals; 'it is clear there is much to build on across the UAE and in doing so we must ensure that our local services are anchored in the social and cultural norms of the country.'
