UAE – the world where dreams come true, offers a plethora of opportunities for career growth. When stepping into a higher education institute, there is a shift in the learning curve. From books and lectures to practical learning, this is where internships play a role in higher education.
Internships in UAE offer practical exposure, chances for skill development and complement higher education. Let’s uncover the benefits of internships in the UAE along with the surrounding legalities.
- What Is an Internship in the UAE?
- UAE Labour Laws: Legal Age Limits
- How Internships Supplement Higher Education: Key Benefits
- Ministry of Education UAE
- FAQs
What Is an Internship in the UAE?
An internship is a recently emerging way of supplementing studies with practical learning. Once the whole focus was on learning theory but today the dynamics have shifted more towards gaining experience. Internships in your college year of higher education separate you from the crowd.
Internships are usually offered for a period of some weeks to some months and mostly during holidays. If you have a semester break, why not gain some practical exposure and understand the dynamics of the corporate world?
Whether you are a fresher out of college or haven’t started University, gain some hands-on experience with internships.
UAE Labour Laws: Legal Age Limits
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) UAE oversees the compliance of labour laws. As per the UAE labour law, there are some set guidelines for interns. These guidelines apply to both national and expat students. Let’s see what are the limitations as per UAE labour laws:
Minimum Age Limit
The minimum age limit to work in the UAE is 18. However, students aged 15 to 18 can be inducted as interns and trainees. Children under 15 cannot take on employment under any circumstances.
Laws for Inducting Minor Interns
As per Federal Decree Law No. (33) of 2021 Article (5), minors aged 15 to 18 must obtain Juvenile work permits. Here are the must-follow labour regulations to work in the UAE:
- Juveniles can only take on internships and traineeship positions. This is to gain practical experience and supplement theoretical learning.
- The company must mention areas of training, duration, holidays, wage and working hours clearly on a contract before internship commencement.
- Companies can employ minor students for a period of a maximum of three consecutive months during their semester breaks.
- The maximum working hours for juveniles should not exceed 6 per day with a one-hour break between them. No more than 4 consecutive working hours are allowed and must be separated by breaks.
- Minors in the UAE cannot work between 07:00 pm to 07:00 am.
- Companies cannot ask Juveniles to work on holidays or serve overtime.
- Juveniles cannot undertake harmful jobs or industrial projects including working under mines.
Issuance of Juvenile Work Permit
Here is a list of must-have documents to apply for a Juvenile work permit in the UAE:
- A photograph with a white background
- The juvenile’s guardian’s written consent
- Medical certificate
- Passport (copy)
- Valid residence permit (copy)
- Employment contract highlighting all necessary terms and conditions with signatures of employee and employer
Required Documents
Companies must ensure that juvenile students have the following documents in hand before hiring them as interns:
- Proof of student status
- A valid UAE residence visa (for expats)
- Emirates ID (copy)
- No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the educational institute
How Internships Supplement Higher Education: Key Benefits
Before moving to the benefits, let’s first have a look at the different perspectives surrounding Internships:
- As a student, the first step into a college or university gives you a whole new feeling. To pursue your dream education and secure a job at a renowned company, this is all you have in mind.
- As a senior student, your first goal is to get a breakthrough in your professional career. This is where internships come into play. For a student, an internship is the entry path into a practical world. Through that, they can get out of just books and experience the world.
- Some Higher Educational institutes have Internships as a part of their courses. This is to showcase themselves as a modern institute that combines theory with practical learning.
- From a company perspective, internships are for employer branding by contributing to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). In addition, fresh people bring fresh ideas and who knows an intern today would be a leader of tomorrow.
Benefits of Internships in UAE Higher Education
Probably the best part about internships is the amount of growth you get both personally and professionally. Let’s look at the key benefits of internships during higher education in the UAE that are a must to know:
1. Theory to Practise: Your First Experience
Internships in UAE sets you apart from other students by giving you a space to put theory into action. Whatever concepts or methods you studied in textbooks, an internship is the period to test how those work.
The distinction would teach you how things work in the real world. Moreover, it is the place to build your confidence and shine with your problem-solving.
2. Practical Exposure and Know-How of Corporate Dynamics
Exposure to a professional environment teaches you the functioning and skills necessary to thrive in the corporate culture. Top universities in UAE such as Zayed University have links to corporate sectors to provide their students with internship opportunities.
3. A Good Mentor Is What You Need at the Start of Your Career
Rightly said, a mentor brings out the unknown talent in you. What better than learning from the experiences of professionals? A good mentor helps you discover your strengths. They provide you with constructive feedback based on their years of experience.
A mentor can transform your personality from the time you step into an organisation to when you leave it.
4. Get a Direct Job Offer
Stepping into an organisation, completing your internship period and receiving a job offer directly, sounds exciting. Internships offer doors to the world of possibilities. Organisations prefer candidates who have already worked for them.
8 out of 10 employers hire interns in permanent positions. If you show the desired skills, they will consider you for future openings. Well-performing employees are an asset to them. This is how internships during higher education are beneficial.
5. Find Your Dream Career
As a college student, most people are in a dilemma of what career path to follow. How about testing yourself in different capacities to know your interests? Internships during higher education help you choose your desired career.
6. A Professional Recommendation Is Worth Receiving
Mentors and colleagues whom you worked with open-heartedly provide recommendations for you. The one you had a good connection with and knows your skills can be a reference for your future jobs.
7. Makes Your Resume Stand Out
Employers receive hundreds of resumes for a single posted position, what is in your resume that stands out? It is the amount of practical experience you have gained. Nowadays, companies don’t just look for bookworms but those who have stepped out into a practical world.
As per the 2024 survey of the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), internships are the key consideration when closing positions.
8. Academic Credit for the Practical Exposure
Some higher education institutes in the UAE require students to gain practical experience and also offer academic credit for that. This is why most students prefer doing internships and supplementing their studies.
Ministry of Education UAE
Prestigious universities like Khalifa University have links to public and private sectors to place their students during or upon graduation. In addition, UAE’s Ministry of Education also caters to internship applications. The purpose is to support bright Emirati students to excel in their careers through internships.
Using their internship portal, you can easily apply for an internship depending on your field of study. The Ministry has partnered with 30 multinational private sector companies globally and some best public sector companies within the UAE.
The only eligibility criteria is to demonstrate academic excellence by a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.00. The institution must be recognised by the UAE Government. Moreover, if selected the students have to commit to the entire internship period.
FAQs
No. Interns in the UAE are not eligible for gratuity or any other benefit not mentioned in their employment contracts.
Yes, most organisations offer paid internships in the UAE. This is to reward students for their service.
Internships play a crucial role in higher education and you must have clarity now. Follow the legal laws and gain practical experience that is worth it!
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