Students want jobs and work experience, not only big salaries, according to some of those attending the Careers UAE fair. They have correctly concluded that in these harsh economic times, when jobs are hard to come by, experience is more valuable than cash in hand. Companies will generally choose to employ somebody with proven work experience over a person fresh out of an educational institution. Work experience, at whatever salary, is an investment in oneself.
This is the importance of the instruction by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, that federal and local governments should offer employment opportunities to young job-seekers. He directed government departments and entities to open their doors to Emirati male and female graduates to enable them to enter the labour market, gain experience and develop their skills.
Young Emiratis should also rise to the challenge of taking their place in the ranks of the private-sector companies. While government jobs offer security and good salaries, sustainable economic growth is driven by the private sector. Emiratis must fill the ranks of private companies and build their own businesses to ensure the development of the country.
