By Hala Khalaf (The National Newspaper,December 20. 2008 )
ABU DHABI // It is the only centre of its kind in the country, offering young men and boys a rare chance to turn their lives around. The campus in the desert outside Abu Dhabi does not look like much, but the staff at VEDC (Vocational Education Development Centre) in Al Shahama give hope for a job and a future to those who have nowhere else to go. (Picture: Students stage a play as part of the VEDC curriculum, which also emphasises interpersonal skills.)
Dr.Khodair Abid VEDC Principal
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ID CARDS
Staff and Trainees will receive an identification (ID) card. When Trainees arrive without an ID, and security does not recognize them, they will need to verify if the individual is authorized to enter the campus before allowing them to proceed.
REGISTRATION AND TIMINGS
Parents/Guardians should commence the enrolment of their son as early as possible in order to guarantee him a place on a course. Each intake is loaded to 400 Trainees. Any applications received later than one week before the start of the next intake will mean the Trainee is loaded onto the next course. Applications should be made to: Vocational Education Development Centre IAT Technology Park Al Shahama PO Box 92559 Abu Dhabi UAE Tel: 02 5854920 /5854922 Fax: 02 5854915 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it The recruitment team will guide Trainees through the procedures for recruitment and in-processing.
Parents/Guardians should commence the enrolment of their son as early as possible in order to guarantee him a place on a course. Each intake is loaded to 400 Trainees. Any applications received later than one week before the start of the next intake will mean the Trainee is loaded onto the next course.
Applications should be made to:
Vocational Education Development Centre IAT Technology Park Al Shahama PO Box 92559 Abu Dhabi UAE
Tel: 02 5854920 /5854922 Fax: 02 5854915
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
The recruitment team will guide Trainees through the procedures for recruitment and in-processing.
Trainees must be in camp by 2000 hrs on a Saturday evening. If this is not possible, a parent/guardian is responsible for bringing the son to the centre on Sunday morning and explaining the situation. Parents/guardians are asked to call the centre and inform them if a Trainee will not be available for pickup on a Saturday evening.
The centre is by no means a prison and parents will have access to their sons should they desire. As it is a boarding school environment however Trainees are expected to bring with them a minimum amount of personal equipment to make their stay comfortable at least until their first weekend home, where they can collect anything that they have forgotten. Trainees are required to bring with them the items of personal equipment and clothing that are listed in the Trainee Handbook (see link...).
The centre is by no means a prison and parents will have access to their sons should they desire. As it is a boarding school environment however Trainees are expected to bring with them a minimum amount of personal equipment to make their stay comfortable at least until their first weekend home, where they can collect anything that they have forgotten.
Trainees are required to bring with them the items of personal equipment and clothing that are listed in the Trainee Handbook (see link...).
MONEY
All Trainees will receive an allowance during their stay at VEDC. This will be paid monthly. Trainees should come with a minimum of AED 500.00 for personal use until their first pay parade.
PERSONAL ADMINISTRATION
VEDC Trainees are requested to complete any outstanding personal administration before arriving at VEDC. This includes such things as establishing direct debits for any debts/payments, completing medical procedures, visiting ailing/aged relatives and friends etc.
PERSONAL DOCUMENTATION
Trainees should bring a number of items of personal documentation with them on arrival at VEDC, please see the Trainee Handbook for details (see link...). Note: All Trainees are required to ensure all their personal items and issued items are suitably marked with the Trainee name and number.
Trainees should bring a number of items of personal documentation with them on arrival at VEDC, please see the Trainee Handbook for details (see link...).
Note: All Trainees are required to ensure all their personal items and issued items are suitably marked with the Trainee name and number.
DRESS CODE
Trainees will have a number of different dress codes for different subjects. These are broken down in detail in the Trainee Handbook (see link...).
DAILY ROUTINE
VEDC will follow a structured daily routine, which includes timings of when key events will occur, e.g. Reveille, inspections, breakfast, first parade lunch, evening activities and lights out. The Trainee Handbook outlines the basic rules that apply to daily routine.
VEDC will follow a structured daily routine, which includes timings of when key events will occur, e.g. Reveille, inspections, breakfast, first parade lunch, evening activities and lights out.
The Trainee Handbook outlines the basic rules that apply to daily routine.
FIELD TRIPS
During Trainees time at VEDC they will undertake field trips away from the centre for a variety of subjects. These will occasionally include a whole week away from the centre where they will be conducting ‘adventure training’. This is fun and challenging training in various parts of the country, such as hill walking, rock climbing, abseiling, water sports etc.
TELEPHONE AND MOBILE PHONES
Use of mobile telephones will only be allowed when Trainees are not at classes and have been ‘stood down’ and allowed relaxation time. Anyone caught bringing a phone to any class will have that phone confiscated for the remainder of the week.
SMOKING
UAE law states that it is illegal for anyone under 18 years old to smoke. This law will be applied to VEDC and anyone who is under 18 and is caught smoking will be disciplined.
Administration 
