Emirates Financial Institute training serves 38,475 beneficiaries in 2025, Central Bank report shows
Emirates Financial Institute training served 38,475 participants in 2025, with growth in professional certificates, Emiratisation and job-fair placements, plus nationwide outreach, per Central Bank.
Strong uptake in annual training plans
The Emirates Financial Institute training registered a total of 38,475 beneficiaries during 2025, according to data released by the Central Bank. Annual training plans accounted for the largest share, drawing 29,802 participants across a wide range of courses and workshops.
Program managers reported sustained demand for practical and sector-specific training modules, which continued to form the backbone of the institute’s calendar. The breadth of topics and the scale of classroom and virtual delivery were highlighted as key factors behind the high participation numbers.
Certificates programmes record steady growth
Certificate programmes under the institute expanded markedly over the 2022–2025 period, reflecting increased professional upskilling. Participant numbers in certificate tracks rose from 531 in 2022 to 1,089 in 2023, 1,385 in 2024 and reached 2,175 in 2025.
The growth encompassed both locally delivered professional certificates and internationally aligned accreditations offered by the institute. Officials said the rise speaks to stronger employer demand for recognized credentials and to individuals seeking skills aligned with financial sector needs.
Breakdown of specialised offerings and outreach
Beyond annual training and certificate schemes, the institute delivered a range of specialised programmes in 2025. These included 4,463 attendees in targeted special programmes and 1,258 participants in professional certification tracks. Foundational currency exchange programmes served 392 participants, while 113 learners pursued international certificates issued by the institute.
Additional initiatives such as the Technology Leaders for the Future enrolled 100 participants, and leadership development courses engaged 71 professionals. The institute’s outreach and tailored offerings contributed to widening its audience across public and private sectors.
Emiratisation and localisation efforts show gains
The Central Bank data highlighted a continuous rise in beneficiaries of Emiratisation and localisation initiatives linked to the institute. Total numbers climbed from 13,979 in 2022 to 14,691 in 2023, then to 16,514 in 2024, and reached 17,338 beneficiaries in 2025.
This upward trend underscores the institute’s role in national workforce development strategies, providing targeted training to support UAE nationals’ integration and progression within the finance sector. Stakeholders said the programmes were calibrated to match both entry-level needs and career development pathways.
Job fairs and employment outcomes from Ithra events
Employment support formed an important strand of the institute’s activity in 2025, with the Ithra job fairs and recruitment initiatives playing a central role. The Ithra exhibitions attracted 1,500 jobseekers in 2025 and presented over 830 vacancy opportunities to candidates from across the country.
The seventh edition of the event in Al Ain drew a particularly large turnout, with 3,198 jobseekers participating. Across various recruitment days during the year, organisers report that 135 candidates secured employment offers as a direct result of the institute’s hiring events and on-site interviews.
Special initiatives and regional engagement
Complementing national programmes, the institute ran dedicated initiatives designed to broaden regional engagement. The Ithra programme for the 2024–2025 cycle recorded 965 beneficiaries, while the Ithra Al Ain initiative served 460 participants, strengthening ties with local communities and employers.
Officials emphasized that site-specific outreach and partnerships with employers were essential to translating training into job opportunities. They also noted ongoing plans to adapt course delivery to local labour market needs and to scale successful pilot initiatives.
The Central Bank’s summary of achievements for 2022–2025 frames the Emirates Financial Institute training as a growing hub for skills development, Emiratisation support and employment facilitation. The data reveal marked increases across certificates, localisation and outreach activities, and point to sustained institutional efforts to align training with sector demand.
Across programmes, the institute’s mix of large-scale annual training, certificate pathways and employment-focused events aims to balance immediate upskilling with longer-term professional development. Continued monitoring of placement rates and employer feedback will be important for gauging the impact of these investments on the UAE labour market.
