Abu Dhabi: Over the last decade, Emiratisation, which includes efforts to increase the presence and skill level of Emiratis and employ them in a meaningful and efficient manner, has been a key focus of most governmental entities across the UAE.
At the meeting of the UAE Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, labelled 2013 as Emiratisation year. A host of governmental initiatives and policies will therefore enhance the Emirati presence in the workforce.
While there is a long way to go in ensuring that Emiratis form a key part of UAE-based organisations and companies, the announcement is likely to spur more organisations to hire and train Emiratis.
Many Emiratisation initiatives have been launched in the recent past. The Ministry of Labour for instance announced earlier this year that all front desk staff at Tas’heel centres must be Emirati.
The Department of Economic Development in Abu Dhabi also said in 2011 that it hopes to reduce the unemployment rate among Emiratis to less than 5 per cent by 2030.
Studies are conducted regularly by the National Human Resources Development and Employment Authority (Tanmia) to assess the level of Emiratisation in all UAE industries and sectors. Recent reports showed that certain industries still find it challenging to achieve Emiratisation targets each year, including many private sector firms, the hotel industry as well as finance, insurance and currency exchange sectors.
To overcome these challenges, regular training programmes are offered by Tanmia, and many public sector organisations, such as the Abu Dhabi Education Council, also offer frequent training opportunities for Emirati employees and trainees.
