GEMS Education and L’Oréal Middle East have partnered to offer UAE secondary school students internships, job shadowing and career guidance, helping them explore opportunities in AI, technology, science and business
DUBAI: GEMS Education has partnered with L’Oréal Middle East to bring real-world career learning to UAE secondary school students, offering opportunities to explore professional careers through internships, workplace experiences and direct interaction with industry experts.
Announced on October 26, 2026, the collaboration aims to help young people connect classroom education with practical workplace skills while discovering career opportunities across science, technology, beauty, marketing and business. The initiative forms part of L’Oréal for Youth, a global programme designed to strengthen youth employability and prepare students for changing workplace expectations.
How will UAE students benefit from the partnership?
Students will have opportunities to participate in internships and work experience placements during the academic year and school holidays. They will also shadow L’Oréal Middle East professionals, gaining insight into daily responsibilities, workplace collaboration and the skills required across different departments.
L’Oréal will organise career talks and industry sessions at GEMS schools, allowing students to learn directly from professionals about their career journeys and experiences. These activities are intended to help students recognise their strengths, explore new interests and make informed decisions about future education and employment.
Exploring careers in AI, science and digital technology
The partnership will introduce students to professional opportunities extending beyond traditional career paths. Through real-world career learning, participants will explore how artificial intelligence, data analytics, e-commerce and digital marketing support modern business operations.
Students will also gain exposure to scientific innovation, creative industries and commercial functions within an international organisation. Laurent Duffier, Managing Director of L’Oréal Middle East, said the collaboration would help connect education with the changing corporate environment. He explained that students would have opportunities to observe how marketing, digital strategy and e-commerce operate using technologies such as AI and data.
Connecting classrooms with future employment
Dino Varkey, Group CEO of GEMS Education, highlighted the importance of exposing students to professional environments before they make major career decisions. He said the partnership would allow students to understand how classroom knowledge connects with workplace challenges while discovering career possibilities they may not previously have considered.
The collaboration also supports GEMS Futures, an initiative connecting students with businesses and practical career development opportunities. By working with industry partners, GEMS aims to make career exploration a meaningful part of school education rather than something students consider only after graduation.
Impact to Expect
The partnership could strengthen career readiness among UAE students by providing earlier exposure to professional environments and emerging technologies. Schools may increasingly recognise the value of combining academic education with practical industry experience, while employers could benefit from a future workforce better informed about workplace expectations.
The initiative reflects growing interest in real-world career learning as UAE schools prepare students for evolving employment opportunities.
