Empowering 500 Citizens: Marwan Bin Ghalita's Program for Managing Affordable Housing Projects

Dubai Municipality is launching a national program to train and license 500 UAE citizens as home construction project managers over the next five years. The initiative, developed with the New Economy Academy, aims to create a pool of local experts who can guide citizens through the complex process of building their homes.

Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Municipality, announced the program during a press conference as part of the UAE's national entrepreneurship campaign. He said the construction market in the UAE shows strong potential and needs investment in local talent - both young professionals and experienced retirees.

Here's where it gets interesting: the program specifically targets retired professionals with construction experience. "Competence doesn't end with retirement," bin Ghalita explained. "We believe in investing in all national capabilities to enhance the quality of residential projects and make it easier for citizens to build their homes."

The training covers both practical and theoretical knowledge needed to manage residential construction projects effectively. Participants will go through specialized courses designed to prepare them for real-world challenges in project management.

Once they complete the program, graduates receive official licenses that allow them to work directly with citizens. These licensed project managers can handle all municipal procedures efficiently, making the entire building process smoother for homeowners from design to completion.

The program responds to a real need. Many UAE citizens struggle with the complexity of building their first homes and need professional guidance. The municipality is now providing a team of local experts who can walk homeowners through each step and offer advice to ensure construction meets the highest standards.

For the construction industry, this creates a new category of licensed professionals who understand both local regulations and citizen needs. It also represents a significant investment in human capital - taking experienced professionals who might otherwise be sidelined after retirement and putting their expertise back to work.

The initiative aligns with the UAE's broader vision of supporting sustainability and improving quality of life for citizens. By creating local expertise in residential construction management, the country reduces dependence on foreign consultants while ensuring citizens get better support when building their homes.