New standards set expectations for career readiness, future skills and student guidance from early years through graduation

Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has launched a new framework designed to strengthen academic and career guidance across private education in Dubai.

The FutuReady Framework: The Dubai Standards for Academic Guidance and Career Readiness in Educational Institutions establishes nine standards for schools and higher education institutions, covering guidance from the early years through graduation.

The framework is designed to help students make informed decisions about their education and career pathways while developing the skills and adaptability needed for a changing world.

From subject choices to future readiness

The standards go beyond helping students select subjects, programs or universities. They call for structured academic and career guidance, real-world learning experiences and development of life and digital skills.

The framework also emphasizes professional leadership, family and community engagement, labor market insights and access to emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence.

Guidance is intended to be personalized and inclusive, including support for students of determination.

Dr. Amna Almaazmi, CEO of Growth and Human Development at KHDA, said the framework recognizes that many of the jobs students will eventually enter do not yet exist.

She said academic and career guidance therefore needs to help young people navigate uncertainty, build transferable skills and make informed decisions throughout their lives.

Schools given three years to implement standards

KHDA has published separate FutuReady Framework handbooks for schools and higher education institutions, outlining expected practices and indicators across areas including future skills, career pathways, experiential learning, labor market information, family engagement, digital and AI-enabled guidance, and student-centered support.

Dubai’s private schools will have three years to implement or further develop their academic and career guidance provision in line with the FutuReady Standards.

KHDA will also conduct a series of workshops for education leaders and practitioners to explain the standards and provide practical guidance on implementation.

Partnership with career development body

KHDA has signed a collaboration agreement with the National Career Development Association (NCDA) to support the framework’s implementation.

The partnership will focus on research and professional development aimed at strengthening academic and career guidance practices across educational institutions.

The FutuReady Framework and its accompanying handbooks are now available on the KHDA website.