Abu Dhabi Launches Region’s First Blockchain-authenticated Digital Skills Card
Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (QCC), in partnership with Union Assessment and Quality Accreditation (UAC), has launched the Gulf region’s first Digital Skills Card, providing a secure, digitally verifiable record of professional skills and qualifications.
This initiative pushes forward the adoption of blockchain-verifiable workforce credentials in the GCC and wider Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, boosting trust, transparency, and workforce mobility.
Each card is linked to a certification awarded through QCC’s accredited personnel conformity programs delivered by UAC. Employers, regulators, and other stakeholders can verify the validity and authenticity of these certifications through ADI Chain, ADI Foundation's regulation-compliant blockchain infrastructure by scanning a QR code.
The launch ceremony brought together government representatives, regulators, industry stakeholders, and certified professionals. It also honored individuals from diverse backgrounds who were among the first to receive their Digital Skills Cards.
Badr Khamis Al Shumaili, Executive Director of the Conformity and Standards Services Sector at QCC, stated:
“Digitalisation is no longer merely a means of streamlining procedures; it has become a fundamental pillar for building more connected and transparent systems, grounded in trusted data.”
He added, “The launch of the Digital Skills Card is a practical step in support of this direction. It offers a secure and reliable digital method to verify professional skills and credentials, reinforcing confidence in accredited competencies for regulators, employers, and professionals alike.”
Shahbaz Muhammad Khan, Director and Chief Executive Officer of UAC, highlighted the importance of verified skills:
“These skills can travel with the individual, be recognized across institutions and borders, and retain their value wherever a professional’s career may take them. Over time, we aim to expand the scope of the Digital Skills Card to encompass a broader range of certifications, qualifications, and professional achievements.”
QCC will continue collaborating with government entities, regulators, employers, and industry stakeholders to expand digital credential solutions and enhance professional recognition, workforce quality, and service standards across Abu Dhabi.
QCC supports the emirate’s quality infrastructure through standardisation, conformity assessment, testing, inspection, and accreditation. UAC specializes in workforce skills assessment and accreditation for various industrial sectors, aligning their programs with regulatory requirements and labor market needs.