The HSBC Inclusion Project – a UAE first

HSBC is launching a new education and training programme in the UAE for people of determination, the first such initiative in the country.

The HSBC Inclusion Project will help to deliver on the future skills and employability for a cohort of people of determination, in collaboration with Mawaheb, a Dubai-based art studio for adults with special needs.

The project – which will launch on December 3, 2020, International Day of Disabled Persons – will train and accredit 45 students in three different courses over six months. The participants will be certified by the Atton Institute in public speaking, presentation skills and business etiquette.

The development of the course was financed by HSBC’s sustainability fund and is the first for adults of determination in the UAE. Given the COVID-19 impacts, all training will be hosted through virtual channels.

Sabrin Rahman, Regional Head of Sustainability, MENAT, said: “Both future skills training and support for people of determination are hugely important elements of our community outreach in the UAE. The Inclusion Project will enable the participants to learn, practice and achieve new goals, which ultimately will improve their employability and integration. We have a long partnership with Mawaheb and this is another wonderful opportunity to promote the importance of enhancing future skills learning.”

The students will be provided the opportunities to practice their newly acquired skills through different virtual and physical platforms, including as hosts and participants, as part of HSBC’s programme at Expo 2020 – HSBC is a founding partner of the UK Pavilion.

Wemmy de Maaker, Founder & Managing Director of Mawaheb, said: “Mawaheb, in collaboration with HSBC, will provide people of determination with job relevant skills to improve their employment possibilities. We are giving people of determination the opportunity to have access to professional certificate courses, developed by Atton Institute. We strive for inclusion as it benefits us all.”

HSBC Tower will also recognise the launch of the project on December 3, by turning purple. As part of the HSBC Groups activities to recognise International Day of Disabled Persons, several HSBC sites around the world are turning their buildings purple to drive awareness, with the colour recognised as a symbol for people with disabilities.

HSBC MENAT’s Diversity and Inclusion team will also be driving awareness of the resources available to staff, such as HSBC’s Disability Confidence Programme, and promoting Group learning and support sessions.