- For the first time anywhere, school-age students have a direct route into the accountancy profession
- The initiative seeks to address the growing workforce demand for finance and accounting professionals while strengthening students’ university and career readiness
- Participants get a head start on an internationally recognised qualification while gaining early exposure to real-world finance and accounting skills
- The opportunity is available to students and their family members interested in professional development, beginning from the 2026/27 academic year
Dubai, UAE, September 2026 – GEMS Education has become the first K-12 education group in the world to be named an Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) Partner in Learning. The new status provides GEMS students with the chance to obtain the ICAEW Certificate in Finance, Accounting and Business (CFAB), a widely recognised first step into the accountancy profession.
The partnership supports the UAE’s ambition to cultivate a strong pool of homegrown business and finance talent, equipping students with practical skills the country will need as it continues to diversify. Dubai’s own trajectory makes it a fitting launch pad for the programme. As the city consolidates its position as a global finance hub in line with the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), companies are increasingly looking for graduates who already understand the basics of finance and business.
The programme enables GEMS students to start an internationally accepted professional qualification while still in school, years before most of their peers, shortening the journey to a full chartered accountant certificate later on.
Participants will build foundations in financial reporting, audit, and assurance, as well as strong analytical, ethical, and problem-solving capabilities, gaining early exposure to real-world finance and accounting skills. Completing the programme demonstrates academic rigour, career clarity, and initiative, giving students a distinct competitive advantage when applying to top global universities as well as for jobs in finance, economics, and business.
ICAEW CFAB will start as a pilot at GEMS Winchester School – Dubai (WSD) in the 2026/27 academic year, with a view to expanding it to more GEMS schools in the future. As part of GEMS’ Family First initiative, this opportunity extends to students’ family members interested in upskilling and professional development. Family participation will be structured through separate modules and capacity-managed, with defined enrolment criteria and programme limits.
The initial cohort will comprise a select group of high-performing students aged 16 to 18 and adults, with acceptance criteria based on academic strength and interest in finance.
In the run-up to the launch of its Centre of Excellence for Leadership, Finance & Business this September, WSD has been developing pathways for future financial leaders through opportunities in economics, accounting, investments, entrepreneurship, trade, emerging financial markets, and related disciplines. The Centre aims to address the rising demand for finance and accounting professionals across the UAE, driven by ongoing economic growth, international investment, and the evolving regulatory landscape, while strengthening students’ preparedness for higher education and future jobs.
Dino Varkey, GEMS Group CEO, said: “In recent years, we have observed a steady increase in student interest in finance, economics, and business pathways across the GEMS network. In line with this trend, we are evolving our bespoke provision to empower our students to achieve their ambitions. We are proud to become the first K-12 education group in the world to partner with ICAEW to deliver the CFAB programme, marking a significant step towards our goal of preparing young people to succeed in their careers.”
Hanadi Khalife, Regional Director, Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) at ICAEW, said: “With its commitment to future-focused education, GEMS is showing what’s possible when a school system is willing to go first, making it our ideal partner to pioneer the CFAB programme in schools. It means a bigger, earlier pipeline of finance talent for employers, and it fits with the wider ambition here in the UAE to build a stronger, knowledge-based economy.”
Under the Winchester Aspire initiative that seeks to establish WSD as a central hub for everyone’s professional development needs, the school will offer a wider range of opportunities in the future, including more financial qualifications, event management, and personal training.
