Emirati Entrepreneur Champions Workforce Upskilling to Meet Abu Dhabi’s Industrial Ambitions

Abu Dhabi’s evolving industrial sector has found a staunch ally in Emirati entrepreneur Khaleed Al Mansouri, whose company TechRise Innovations is leading workforce development efforts to support the emirate’s goal of creating 13,600 skilled jobs in manufacturing by 2031. Working closely with the Abu Dhabi Industrial Strategy (ADIS) and government programmes, the firm is a concrete example of how private enterprise can help realise Abu Dhabi’s vision of a knowledge-driven economy.

Why Workforce Development Is the Priority Now

The push for skilled talent development in Abu Dhabi is urgent. The emirate plans to boost its manufacturing sector value to AED 172 billion by 2031 under ADIS, necessitating a steady pipeline of qualified professionals. Recent government initiatives, including the launch of the Industrial Talent Programme, have underscored the emphasis on attracting and upskilling Emiratis for advanced industrial roles. Moreover, the establishment of a new Human Resources Authority to replace the Tawteen Council signals an institutional commitment to streamline emiratisation and national workforce policies.^{[1], [3]}

Local Innovation Meets Strategic Talent Programmes

TechRise Innovations, headquartered in Abu Dhabi's Masdar City, has embedded itself in Abu Dhabi’s comprehensive talent development ecosystem. The company partners with the Mawaheb Talent Hub, part of the Department of Government Enablement, which trained over 10,000 job seekers and placed more than 6,000 in 2025, focusing on making the workforce AI-ready.^[2] Through these collaborations, TechRise tailors its in-house digital upskilling workshops and apprenticeships in data science and advanced manufacturing technologies, directly aligning with the government’s industrial talent objectives.

The company also actively engages with government-led career-building programs, which provide budding professionals and job seekers access to apprenticeships and data analytics training.^[4] Such initiatives are crucial as skilled labor in Abu Dhabi surged by over 49% in recent years, and the number of UAE nationals joining private sector roles increased by about 366%, reflecting the effectiveness of emiratisation policies combined with private sector support.^[5]

Khaleed Al Mansouri emphasizes the importance of bridging theoretical training with practical industry experience. By leveraging government partnerships and strategically targeting emerging industrial segments, TechRise enhances career pathways for Emirati youth, while meeting the demand for knowledge workers laid out in ADIS.

Looking Ahead: Sustaining Momentum in Workforce Empowerment

With Abu Dhabi’s government doubling down on workforce development through entities such as the new Human Resources Authority, firms like TechRise Innovations play a pivotal role in translating ambitious industrial strategies into tangible job creation and skills enrichment. Continuing to integrate apprenticeships, AI readiness training, and industry collaborations will be key to meeting the projected 13,600 skilled job targets by 2031.^[1]

For Abu Dhabi’s entrepreneurs and workforce stakeholders, the immediate takeaway is clear: engaging deeply with government talent initiatives not only aligns with broader economic goals but also offers practical business advantages. This model of public-private synergy could be essential as the emirate enhances its industrial capabilities and generates sustainable employment opportunities over the next decade.