Emirati jobseekers visit Careers UAE fair

Dubai: Scores of Emirati jobseekers have started meeting UAE employers at the 17th edition of the Careers UAE job fair at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).

The three-day event was officially launched on Sunday morning by Shaikh Ahmad Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who toured the stands representing companies and government entities.

At last year's edition, 43 per cent of attendees found jobs, according to DWTC. Careers UAE is exclusively for UAE nationals and Human Resources sector professionals.

The event is held under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Emirati women account for 82 per cent of active jobseekers in the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s database, figures revealed ahead of this year's Careers UAE indicate.

Most of the Careers UAE visitors are youth. Majed Yousef Al Zarouni,19, said he was hoping to secure a full-time job while juggling his undergraduate IT studies at the University of Sharjah.

“I could work during the day and take university classes in the evenings. I am passionate about work and studies both so that's why I am here today. I have been to other events like this in other emirates but this is my first time at Careers UAE,” said Al Zarouni.

He added that he was open to the idea of working in any sector though his focus is in technology.

New system

The UAE banking sector is now operating under a points system where establishments are rewarded according to the degree of training and education they provide to recruits. Professionals at the event said Emiratisation is broader than just meeting quotas for hiring UAE nationals.

Hind Al Attar, head of human resources at Noor Bank, which is participating at the event, said: “The nature of Emiratisation has evolved drastically and rapidly progressed from what it used to be - and is much than hiring UAE Nationals from a headcount or ratio standpoint.”

Al Attar, who is Emirati, added: “There is now a more long-term and strategic emphasis on the entire process which has further been reinforced by the new regulations in place by our forward-thinking government. This begins much before an institution decides to hire with a robust Emiratisation strategy and tactical plan being put in place which then culminates in the important elements of driving acquisition of key Emirati talent, and then takes leads towards gradual steps of nurturing their development, thus ensuring strong value creation in the job market.

“This is especially more prevalent this year in the Banking and Insurance industries with the introduction of the points system - which has already come into effect from 2017.

“Institutions are now rewarded for the quality of training and education they offer, as well as when UAE nationals are exposed to opportunities with more responsibility,  such as managerial roles along with the leadership commitment towards Emiratisation.”