Sharjah for Capability Development (SCD) has announced that the debut edition of their new coaching programme, ‘Certified Coach’ will roll out on October 17. The programme aims to help individuals who wish to sharpen their skills and competencies in different areas of the coaching profession.

Running from October to February, the programme is part of a series of programmes by SCD, a subsidiary of the Rubu' Qarn Foundation for Creating Future Leaders and Innovators’, with a view to unleashing the potential of Emirati youth and provide them with professional development opportunities.

Participants who successfully complete the four-month coach-training programme will receive the International Coach Federation (ICF) credential. ICF is the largest global body representing the profession, and has under its umbrella over 32,000 members worldwide.

The programme requires applicants to have at least five years of professional experience, in addition to having strong communication skills and the passion to become a coach, as well as team leading, active listening and English language proficiency.

The programme focuses on self-empowerment and developing life skills, which are essential to increasing self-awareness to identify one’s character strengths and weaknesses, and their potential capabilities. ‘Certified Coach’ has been designed to enable its participants realise their goals and enhance their decision-making skills. It seeks to empower them to overcome the challenges that come in the way of their self-development journey and their success.

The programme will see its coaches implement their strategy through extensive discussion panels and question-based conversations to encourage critical and analytical thinking among trainees to find possible solutions within the existing environment. The programme is crafted to help participants overcome their fears and hesitation, and not live in the shadow of unsuccessful experiences they had in the past.

The programme will offer comprehensive knowledge and expertise training to attendees through its four unique sessions, starting in October and ending in February 2019. It aims to help develop participants’ abidance by ethical guidelines and professional standards; encourage successful planning, goal-setting and managing progress; keen engagement in programme workshops; establishing trust and intimacy with a client; active listening; powerful questioning and direct communication.

Saeed Al Hammadi, Director of Corporate Communications at SCD, said: “SCD’s vision is exemplified in building a generation of young influencers who have the capabilities and experiences, which will enable them to contribute effectively to Sharjah’s and the UAE’s economic and social development. We have launched this programme to bring coaching in the UAE up to the highest international standards, and of course to take our vision to develop the capabilities of Emirati youth further.”  

“The programme is aimed at highlighting the importance of practical coaching and its impact on individuals. Theoretical coaching is not enough because people may possess a lot of information, but don’t necessarily know the right way to process it and apply it practically and beneficially,” he added.

“We are keen to ensuring that all of our programmes and initiatives provide a fully integrated and inclusive educational approach that contributes to empowering young leaders. In doing so, we are providing the vital economic sectors in the UAE with efficient and effective coaches who are able to drive positive change,” he added.

Established in 2005, Sharjah Tatweer Forum (now Sharjah for Capability Development), is a subsidiary of the Rubu' Qarn Foundation for Creating Leaders and Innovators, established by Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Muhammad Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah. The foundation has more than 800 young members who contribute to achieving its goals through their ideas, visions, suggestions, recommendations, activities, initiatives and voluntary work.