The UAE has launched a new pilot project under which 2,500 workers in the construction sector from India, Pakistan and Philippines will have their skills tested before being recruited in the country, said a report.

The workers will be provided professional training in their own countries before they enter the UAE, reported the state news agency Wam citing the Minister of Labour.

Saqr Ghobash said the project comes as part of the ministry's strategy towards achieving future labour market goals through co-operation and partnership with concerned government agencies and facilities from the private sector, as well as universities and research centres.

"The 2,500 workers will be recruited randomly from major labour-supplying countries mainly India, Pakistan and the Philippines, to work for national enterprises in the construction sector. While they will be provided with professional training in their own countries, they will also be tested for qualifying expertise to fill certain occupations before arriving here," stated the minister.

This will be in accordance with professional standards that have been developed by Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council and the National Qualifications Authority, he added.

The minister said all the 2,500 workers will be tested during their stay in the country to document additional skills gained at their new workplace and facilitate employment within national facilities with trained and qualified manpower.

Lauding the two-year project, Ghobash said with this move, all labourers in the future would have their experiences and qualifications documented and recognised thus making it easy for them to get jobs, especially blue-collar ones, when they return to their home countries.

The ministry is also working on a plan to see that the project also gets implemented in Kuwait, which is hosting the ministerial meeting of the Third Consultative path of the Abu Dhabi Dialogue, tomorrow (November 27).

Representatives of the construction companies including Arabtec, Al Habtoor, ATI Asco and Ghantoot have welcomed the project stating that it will help provide companies with skilled labourers for big projects.