Dubai Electricity Launches State-of-the-Art Project Management Training Center

Dubai's DEWA Expands Project Management Excellence with New Training Center Launch

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has opened a new Project Management Training Center accredited by the American Project Management Institute, positioning the emirate as a regional hub for professional development in critical infrastructure skills. The facility will serve government entities, private companies, DEWA subsidiaries, and community members, reflecting Dubai's broader strategy to build local expertise in mega-project execution.

Strategic Investment in Human Capital

The center, inaugurated by DEWA's Managing Director and CEO Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer at the authority's Professional Development and Academic Complex in Al Hudaiba, represents more than just another training facility. It signals Dubai's recognition that project management expertise has become essential for maintaining competitive advantage in an era of rapid technological change.

Al Tayer emphasized that Dubai has evolved into a global benchmark for executing large-scale pioneering projects according to the highest standards of quality, efficiency, and sustainability. This positioning is particularly relevant as the emirate continues ambitious infrastructure developments including renewable energy projects, smart city initiatives, and Expo 2020 legacy programs.

Building Professional Credentials

The numbers reveal DEWA's systematic approach to professional development. By the end of 2024, 280 DEWA employees had obtained Professional Project Management (PMP) certification, with an additional 120 professionals earning other accredited certificates from the Project Management Institute.

This concentration of certified project managers within a single government entity is significant. It suggests Dubai is building institutional knowledge that can be applied across multiple sectors, from energy infrastructure to urban development projects.

Regional Leadership in Professional Standards

DEWA's credentials in this space run deep. The authority became the first entity in Dubai government to obtain an Authorized Training Partner license for project management education and accreditation activities from the American Project Management Institute in 2010. This 14-year partnership has now evolved into a full training center, indicating sustained commitment rather than a short-term initiative.

Market Implications and Broader Context

The timing of this expansion aligns with several regional trends. Gulf states are increasingly focused on economic diversification and reducing dependence on oil revenues. Project management expertise becomes crucial when executing complex transformation programs across multiple industries simultaneously.

For private sector companies operating in the UAE, access to locally-trained, internationally-certified project managers could reduce recruitment costs and improve project outcomes. The center's availability to private entities suggests Dubai is thinking beyond government needs to support broader economic development.

Competitive Positioning

Dubai's approach contrasts with other regional hubs that often rely heavily on imported expertise for major projects. By systematically building local capabilities, the emirate is creating a sustainable advantage that could attract more international companies seeking skilled project management talent.

This initiative also supports Dubai's positioning as a regional business hub, offering companies access to professionally trained talent pools that meet international standards. As mega-projects become more complex and technology-driven, having a concentrated base of certified project managers becomes increasingly valuable for both public and private sector operations.