General information
The UAE is committed to developing a strong national system for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to ensure high-quality skills development. The government prioritises building relevant skills to coincide with new and emerging technologies, materials and systems, ensuring equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education materials and systems. It aims further to substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.
Regulatory bodies of TVET
National Qualifications Center (NQC) is the federal entity that is responsible for developing and maintaining a framework for national qualifications and regulating the technical and vocational education and training (TVET) sector in the UAE. NQCrecognises TVET awarding bodies and endorses national vocational qualifications in the UAE. The entity extends its services to TVET institutes, as well as to individuals who provide education and training at TVET-licensed institutes in the country. All national vocational certificates issued by NQA’s awarding bodies are accredited for employment purposes.
In Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ACTVET) aims to regulate TVET in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. The centre also oversees the Institute of Applied Technology and the Abu Dhabi Vocational Educational and Training Institute to ensure the delivery of the best accredited educational and training programmes. This is aimed at providing professional qualifications aligned with the current and future requirements of the job market.
EmiratesSkills
EmiratesSkills is an initiative of Abu Dhabi Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ACTVET). It aims to improve the competency levels of the UAE’s youth and prepare them for the future skills and a sustainable knowledge–based economy. Its activities are focused on raising the awareness of career-based technical and vocational education among young Emiratis by organising competitions, events, training programmes and technical career activities.
EmiratesSkills offers students opportunities to participate and compete in national, regional and world skills competitions, and for continuous benchmarking with international skills standards. Skills competitions also include juniors aged between 12 and 15 years and people of determination (people with special needs).
Learn more about EmiratesSkills and know how to join.
Find TVET institutes in the UAE
The UAE has made great strides in vocational and technical education by opening several specialised institutions and promoting practical learning methods.
Some of the vocational and technical educational centres include:
- Centre of Excellence for Applied Research and Training under Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT)
- National Institute for Vocational Education (NIVE)
- ADNOC Technical Academy
- Emirates Aviation University
- Etisalat Academy
- Abu Dhabi Vocational Education and Training Institute (ADVETI).
Updated on:
16 Mar 2026
