The Early Childhood Authority honours its first group of trained Emirati social workers, equipped to make a difference in the lives of children and their communities
A warm celebration of talent and purpose took place at Nabdh Al Falah Community Center in Abu Dhabi, where the Early Childhood Authority (ECA) honoured the first cohort of its Social Work Upskilling Program.
Sixteen Emirati graduates were recognised for completing the pilot training scheme designed to bridge the gap between university learning and real-world impact in early childhood development (ECD).
The program, which ran from August 2024 to January 2025, combines classroom learning with hands-on experience, preparing graduates to support families and young children across the UAE.
Developed with leading universities including UAEU, HCT, Zayed University and Georgetown University, the initiative is set to launch on a larger scale through the National Academy for Childhood Development.
HE Dr Hessa Ali Al Kaabi of the ECA described the program as “a qualitative leap” in building a resilient social work sector that underpins Abu Dhabi’s Early Childhood Development Strategy 2035.
Graduate Zahra Al Braiki spoke on behalf of her peers, describing the course as “a turning point” that equipped them not only with skills and knowledge but also with a renewed sense of purpose.
As the UAE continues to invest in the people who support its youngest citizens, this program marks an exciting step in shaping a nurturing, inclusive future—one graduate at a time.
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