Citigroup handed recently a USD 50,000 cheque in support of the Work Placement Unit (WPU) at Al Noor Training Centre for Children with Special Needs, which aims to train and prepare special needs’ students for work in Dubai and other Emirates.
Provided by the Citigroup Foundation, Citigroup’s social investment arm, the grant is a fulfillment of a two-year support program which aims to enhance the human resource capabilities of the WPU that sources appropriate employers, provides training on basic work-related skills and monitors the progress of placed students. 13 candidates have already been successfully placed in suitable jobs in different industries across Dubai.
“The WPU’s mission and objectives fit well into our corporate citizenship efforts. We are determined to contribute back to the societies we serve through a combination of financial support as well as volunteer work carried out by our staff,” said Rajeev Kakar, Regional Head for Citibank's Consumer Bank in Turkey, Middle East & Africa. “The success of the WPU at Al Noor Center sets a benchmark in handling special needs candidates who reach employment stage, and helps create good jobs to an important section of the society.”
Khalid Al Halyan, Chairman of Al Noor Center, said: “We laud Citigroup’s commitment towards supporting this unique program. Together with the volunteering part, Citigroup’s involvement constitutes a social investment model for others to follow. The Work Placement Unit is a vital link in the development of the Center’s students as they move from childhood to adulthood. Thanks to Citigroup’s support of the WPU, 13 students have joined the workforce, and more are on their way to assuming suitable, respectable jobs.”
