Abu Dhabi: More Emirati graduates across the emirate of Abu Dhabi have successfully joined the workforce this year compared with 2014, the Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec) announced on Wednesday.

A study conducted by the education regulator found that 92 per cent of Emirati men who graduated during the spring and summer of 2015, as well as 54 per cent of women, are currently employed. This is in comparison with 87 per cent of all male graduates and 42 per cent of women who were able to secure jobs after graduating in 2014.

The study also found that 65 per cent of all students who graduated in 2015, both Emirati and expats, are now employed, as opposed to 61 per cent of 2014 graduates.

The Adec statement said that the survey to analyse employment and further study choices and opportunities has been conducted in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

A total of 22 institutions of higher education participated in it, and 6,487 Emirati and expat graduates were contacted. 58 per cent of whom responded to the inquiries.

“We implement the destination survey in order to understand education output versus market need so that we can steer students towards favourable careers, especially those in the fields of science, technology, mathematics and engineering,” said Dr Mohammad Baniyas, executive director for higher education at Adec.

Adec officials also found that 51 per cent of Emirati graduates from the 2015 cohort are employed at local government entities, while 24 per cent are at federal government organisations. A further 21 per cent are working with semi-governmental companies, while only 5 per cent are in the private sector.

“In order to achieve diversification and stability in our economy, there needs to be a better balance between Emirati graduates in the public and private sectors,” Dr Baniyas said.

At a recruitment fair held in February 2014, Emirati attendees who spoke to Gulf News said they feel that private sector jobs are more challenging due to stronger competition, lower job security and a variety of cultural influences.

The Adec statement added that similar surveys will be carried out twice a year in order to develop valuable data about graduates’ choices and opportunities.