Abu Dhabi banks join Emiratisation efforts

Abu Dhabi: Banking is one of the most important sectors in the country, and as Emiratisation efforts in the capital continue to grow, this sector presents no exception to the process.

Aiming at increasing the number of UAE nationals in the line of banking, the Abu Dhabi Tawteen Council and the Emirates Institute of Banking and Financial Studies have joined efforts to provide study, training and hiring opportunities for prospective students.

"Derasatee" (or my education in Arabic) consists of training and job positions covering all aspects of the banking world, including senior, junior, and entry level jobs, as well as administration, human resources and legal openings.

Several banks have joined efforts in cooperation of this initiative, including the National Bank of Abu Dhabi, Al Hilal Bank, the Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank. Each have offered various programmes and posts to the students.

"This programme is meant to support the government's efforts of Emiratisation. We have 51 banks in the UAE, and a total of 911 branches across the country. 23 of the banks are national banks, and those comprise 801 branches," Essam Al Sayed, a representative from the Abu Dhabi Tawteen Council, explained.

"To meet the needs of the banking industry, we need to ensure that we have a qualified, well-trained human capital, to be able to function efficiently in this domain, and to provide quality services for customers. Our goal is to train and place 165 nationals looking for jobs in this field," he added.

Jamal Al Jasmi, General Manager of the Emirates Institute of Banking and Financial Studies , reiterated that a positive increase of nationals employed in banking was noticeable, and that it was an important progress. He also added that through this programme, hopes were to increase this growth even further.

Valuable opportunity

Students who were keen on taking part in this inititative told Gulf News that they viewed this programme as a valuable opportunity. Lined up with their CVs ready, and headed for interviews with representatives from banks of choice, they expressed their approval of "Derasatee".

"This is a great first-step for anyone interested in the field of banking. It is a positive effort, and is very helpful for us," Fatima Al Mahri, 26 said.

"Personally, I am interested in working in banking, particulary in customer services. I will be applying for an opportunity at the Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank and the National Bank of Abu Dhabi as well, hoping that I will be able to pursue my goal though these institiutions," she added.

"Derasatee" was created in efforts of supporting the decision to mandate that all banks must increase the number of UAE nationals in their institutions by and average of four per cent annually, Al Jasmi added.

Did you know?

• 1936 is the year of the opening of the first bank in the UAE
• 12,851 is the number of UAE nationals employed in the banking sector in the UAE in 2009
• 34 per cent is the rate of UAE nationals employed in the banking sector in 2009
• Banking is the largest private sector to employ UAE nationals

Source: Jamal Al Jasmi