Al Ain: Emirati graduates and students flocked to Al Ain Education and Career Fair (AECF) on Monday to seek help and assistance from private and public companies and organisations in job hunting and career development.
The three-day sixth edition of the fair, which opened at Al Ain Convention Centre, has been designed to helps job seekers, fresh graduates and those who have completed their schooling to enhance their professional skills and look for career opportunities. The event was officially inaugurated by Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Youth, Culture and Development.
“This year we have seen a 10 per cent growth in floor space over the 2013 edition, and attendance is expected to grow by 15 per cent,” said Khurram Saeed, Director of AECF. The substantial growth of this fair over the past five years highlights its success in providing invaluable educational and career opportunities for young graduates and those who have completed schooling, he said.
Based on the statistics from the UAE Labour Ministry, over 90 per cent of the Emirati working population of 225,000 are employed in the public sector. The UAE private sector, despite employing more than four million expatriates, is only home to 22,000 Emiratis, he added.
The UAE government has set a goal through its Vision 2021 plan to achieve high level of Emiratisation — about ten fold over the next seven years. This means that the approximate private sector Emirati workforce could reach over 200,000 by the time Dubai World Expo 2020 takes place, said the fair organisers. “The UAE is really investing in its people’s future,” he said.
Reem Mohammad Al Shamsi, an Emirati student said the fair is a great opportunity for high school students to meet with the people from different educational institutions and plan for future studies. “It has really broadened my vision for further studies,” she added.
Ahmad Khamees Al Mansouri, an Emirati graduate said he met with a number of potential employers to get an accurate picture of the job market. “It was indeed an excellent experience that would help me in choosing an appropriate career opening,” he said.
A number of national and international education institutions including UAE University, Al Ain University, the New York Institute of Technology, University of Sharjah, Khalifa University, Higher Colleges of Technology and the University of Jazeera have been participating in the fair. Other participants include UAE Armed Forces, Abu Dhabi Vocational Education and Training Institute (ADVETI), Institute of Applied Technology, Etihad Airways, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), Al Khawarizmi International College and the New York Institute of Technology.
The Al Ain Education and Career Fair opens daily from 10am to 7pm and attendance is free. The period between 10am to 2pm on Tuesday is for ladies only. The fair is open to all Emiratis and expatriates and more information can be obtained by visiting www.alaincareerfair.com or www.facebook.com/alaincareerfair.
