Infrastructure construction and the development of Emirati talent remain central pillars of the United Arab Emirates’ economic diversification strategy. Envisioned as a base for both of these pillars, Hill International’s Emirati Infrastructure Acceleration Program (EIAP) will help prepare the next generation of Emirati engineering professionals for leadership roles in infrastructure and project management.   

Prioritizing Emiratization

“The two pillars of Emirati talent development and the UAE’s national infrastructure ambitions are joined—or rather, they are two sides of the same arch,” says Managing Director for the Middle East Abdullah Alnabhan. “Delivering the country’s major investments in transportation, urban development, water, and sustainability initiatives requires a highly skilled Emirati workforce capable of managing the technical complexity of infrastructure projects with a complete understanding the government’s priorities and local contexts. That’s why Emiratization is a core value for Hill in the UAE.”

Abdullah explains that the EIAP is designed to welcome Emirati professionals to Hill and accelerate their careers by teaming them with established infrastructure leaders on projects of national significance. Through the program, Hill is hiring and training 50 Emirati professionals annually. The participants receive structured training via on-the-job experience across major construction projects in the UAE, mentorship from industry leaders and senior executives, and exposure to international best practices and delivery standards. The training helps participants develop a range of technical skills across project management and engineering disciplines, as well as mastery of common industry tools and technologies. The program also equips participants with the leadership skills required to thrive in the UAE’s infrastructure sector and within megaproject environments.

“Our approach helps ensure that participants are technically capable and equipped with the leadership mindset required to drive innovation and excellence as the industry and the UAE continue to evolve,” adds Abdullah.

Success Stories & Program Impact

“By investing in Emirati talent, we are investing in the future of the UAE,” says Operations Director Nouf Al Sharqi. “Our team is proud to stand alongside the UAE government in nurturing Emirati talent to deliver lasting benefits to the communities we serve throughout the country.”

Nouf goes on to explain that 40 Emiratis are enrolled in the program’s first cohort. These professionals are working as integrated members of Hill’s project teams and administrative staff, delivering value for our clients and developing their skills across critical business functions, including proposal writing, finance, health and safety, document control, commercial management, digital project delivery, stakeholder coordination, and more.

One exemplary EIAP participant is Stakeholder Coordinator Fatima Al Shamsi. Fatima currently supports a community development project comprising the delivery of street improvements, community center facilities, park space, and more to enhance the livability of a neighborhood in Abu Dhabi. As part of Hill’s project management and cost consultancy team, Fatima acts as the main point of contact between the project team and stakeholders. During her time on the project, she has built strong relationships and developed expertise in coordinating submissions and helping ensure compliance with local regulations and requirements—and the more she learns, the more value Fatima adds. Through proactive communications with stakeholders, Fatima helps ensure a smooth approval processes, resolve issues, and promote the successful and timely delivery of the project.

“Fatima’s journey highlights the value of investing in Emirati talent,” says Nouf. “Through her participation in the program, Fatima has rapidly developed her expertise and skills, but she’s also leveraged her relationships with stakeholders and understanding of the local regulatory environment to contribute meaningfully to project delivery from day one.”

In addition to client-facing roles in operations, Hill’s EIAP includes tracks for a variety of administrative support roles. For example, program participant Alyazeya Saleh Abdulla Salem Aljaeedi serves as business support coordinator at Hill’s head office in Abu Dhabi. “Alyazeya provides operational support by tracking all project documentation and managing correspondence with clients,” Nouf explains. “She also hones her document control expertise by working alongside our document control staff and managing submittals in accordance with established procedures, which helps our operations teams keep their clients’ projects moving forward.”

Nouf also highlights the contributions of Sarah Alghwaibi. A graphic design coordinator, Sarah supports the development of high-quality presentations and proposals that align with company branding and effectively communicate key messaging to clients. Her role includes developing visual content, helping ensure consistency across all documents, and enhancing the visual impact of Hill’s presentations and proposals. By clearly showcasing the experience and expertise of her colleagues, Sarah helps Hill win new work and develops her own expertise as an administrative support professional in the infrastructure industry.

“These outstanding individuals are only a few of many, and their growth and contributions illustrate how the EIAP is a platform for real impact, real responsibility, and real advancement,” says Nouf.

Supporting the UAE’s Infrastructure Vision

On the project site and in the office, Hill’s EIAP staff are honing their skills and contributing to infrastructure project delivery throughout the UAE. While both Hill and Hill’s clients benefit from the talent and hard work of program participants today, Abdullah emphasizes that the EIAP is, above all, a long-term investment in the UAE’s infrastructure vision and communities throughout the country.

“Hill is committed to being an infrastructure partner for the UAE,” he says. “In addition to managing our clients’ projects efficiently and effectively, we aim to support the government’s long-term infrastructure vision and support the growth of communities throughout the country by enhancing local capabilities in project and program management and supporting the continuous transfer of expertise into the market. With the EIAP, we ultimately want to create a sustainable pipeline of Emirati project management professionals, who will step into leadership positions at Hill and throughout the industry to shape the future of UAE infrastructure. We’ve got great momentum already, and I look forward to the supporting the program’s continued growth.”

To learn more about the EIAP, reach out to Abdullah at [email protected]. For more information about Hill’s work in the UAE and throughout the Middle East, please visit www.hillintl.com/projects/?_sft_region=middle-east.