SPARK Apprenticeship | Your University Work Pla – Chalhoub Group

Chalhoub Group’s SPARK Apprenticeship is a university work placement programme based in Dubai, and this listing invites students to take the first step through an interactive career discovery session. Chalhoub Group has been shaping luxury and lifestyle experiences in the Middle East for over seven decades, spanning fashion, beauty, jewellery, watches, eyewear and lifestyle categories.

According to the posting, the journey starts with a session where you will learn about Chalhoub Group, its brands and its career opportunities, and find out how the SPARK Apprenticeship Programme works. For students, that is a useful way to understand what a large retail and luxury group actually does behind the scenes: buying and merchandising, marketing and brand management, e-commerce, supply chain, finance, people and organisation, technology and store operations all play a part.

Work placements of this kind typically give students practical experience inside a real team for a defined period, often aligned with university requirements. You can expect to support day-to-day projects, learn the tools and processes the team uses, attend meetings, and contribute ideas, with guidance from a manager or mentor. The specific team and responsibilities depend on your background, interests and the opportunities available at the time.

The programme suits university students who want structured, real-world experience before graduating, are curious about retail, luxury and consumer brands, and are ready to learn quickly. It is particularly worth exploring if your degree requires a placement, or if you want to test which part of a large business suits you best before choosing your first full-time role.

Structured apprenticeship and placement programmes help large companies build a pipeline of early talent who already understand the business, its culture and its brands. For Chalhoub Group, which operates across many brands, categories and functions, programmes like SPARK create an efficient route to identify promising students early and develop them into future employees. Graduates who join after a successful placement typically ramp up faster and stay longer, reducing recruitment and onboarding costs. Students also bring fresh perspectives, particularly on digital behaviour, social media and how younger consumers engage with luxury and lifestyle brands, which can add real value to project teams. Placements give managers extra capacity for research, analysis and project support, while also developing their own coaching and leadership skills. The programme strengthens the group's employer brand among universities and students in the UAE, a competitive area as many companies seek strong graduates. Over time, a steady flow of well-prepared early-career talent supports Chalhoub's long-term growth and capability.

A university placement with Chalhoub Group gives you real experience with one of the region's best-known retail and luxury groups before you graduate, which can make a significant difference when you apply for your first full-time job. You will see how a large, multi-brand business works across functions such as marketing, merchandising, e-commerce, operations and support teams, helping you understand where your interests and strengths fit. You will gain practical skills that employers look for in graduates: working in a professional team, managing tasks and deadlines, presenting work, communicating clearly and using common business tools. Programmes like SPARK are also designed to support learning, with guidance from experienced colleagues and opportunities to build your professional network inside the company. A strong placement can lead to a strong reference, and in many cases to consideration for graduate roles or future opportunities within the group. Experience in Dubai's dynamic retail market also gives you useful context for careers across the GCC. Even if you ultimately choose a different industry, the experience of working inside a large organisation, with real responsibilities and feedback, will make you a more confident and capable candidate. Attending the career discovery session is a low-commitment way to learn more and decide whether the programme is right for you.

• Currently enrolled in a university degree programme; placements are often aligned with university internship or work placement requirements
• Interest in retail, luxury, fashion, beauty or consumer brands
• Good communication skills in English; Arabic is an advantage
• Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office or Google Workspace
• Curiosity, initiative and willingness to learn
• Ability to work in a team and take feedback constructively
• Availability to commit to the placement period required by your university
• Eligibility to undertake a work placement in the UAE