Dubai/Abu Dhabi: The UAE government’s decision to enable students to get training and job experience while they study has been welcomed by the private sector and parents.
People who spoke to Gulf News about the decree issued on Wednesday allowing students to get permits for work and training purposes largely held the view that students earning while learning will positively impact families and society.
Simon Bangs, Middle East Managing Director of Allen and York Recruitment Consultancy, said it is very positive news for both students and companies.
“It further legitimises and standardises students’ rights and ability to work,” said Bangs.
“Many employers are keen to invest in training and development of young talent but have historically not understood how to go about this and hence erred on the safe side by not exploring this route in detail. Decrees like this not only improve access to work opportunities, but also help create the market by developing employers understanding of how to go about it,” Bangs said.
The primary short-term gain is for students, he added. “What it will, however, offer employers is the ability to strengthen their brand and educate students about what a great career they can offer students when they complete their studies – and thus helping their own graduate recruitment programmes.”
Bangs expressed hope that the new law will ensure that a great work ethic and grounding for the long run is ingrained in students.
Rahul Kaul, who runs Deja vu Events in Dubai, felt that working while studying would train students to focus on more than one issue at a time regardless of the level of difficulty.
“Not to mention the experience in having to perform for people and the real world rather than college. College is about learning how to study and take tests. Work is about learning how to apply your own ability and work ethic,” he said.
Having a student workforce, he said, can surely benefit the company because it can incorporate the fresh talent and their ideas in the existing work model. “Giving students such opportunities can give you a competitive advantage and set you apart from others in the business.
“It also strengthens the social fabric because students will spend more time in productive activities,” Kaul added.
Parents too have welcomed the new law.
“As a father to three children, I would be very interested in having them work while they are at school. Not only will it help them develop their professional skills, the remuneration they receive for their work will also teach them to spend wisely,” said Abdul Rahim Al Grandi, 43, a Moroccan event manager.
“It will also allow the private sector to invest in the development of human capital,” he added.
Mohammad Bin Eid Al Hammadi, 35, a retired Emirati father of six children, said he would love to have his 13-year-old daughter get some professional training while still a student.
“Farah wants to be a lawyer, so work experience would instil a sense of responsibility in her. In addition, being paid for her efforts will help teach her the value of work and money,” he said.
“We are grateful to our wise leadership for introducing this opportunity for our children,” Al Hammadi added.
Students thrilled
Jill Zalt, 16, Syrian-Canadian
I have so far resorted to working as a volunteer during my school breaks, but I would really like to take up a part-time job. I hope to work in the health care sector, and a chance to work in the same industry would give me exposure to the roles and responsibilities of professionals. And although I am looking for experience, I would not mind being paid at all.
Bashayer Kwier, 15, Emirati
I enjoy space studies, but I am not sure I have the scientific aptitude for it. So if I get a chance to work part-time in this first, it would help me determine what major I should choose when I get to university. Moreover, practical experience during the school years is always considered to be a golden ticket to doing well as a working professional.
Arwa Abdul Hameed, 17, Jordanian
I hope to major in chemical engineering. The fact that pupils will be granted the same benefits as working professionals is an encouragement to take up student employment.
Monica Hany, 18, graduate student, International School of Choueifat
“I believe that this is a great opportunity for students who normally have leisure time during their summer holidays. It will encourage me to look for a proper job that could prepare me for the professional world while making my future transitions much easier and supporting my decisions about my future study options. Working with professionals at this age will polish my personality, teach me how to organise priorities and enhance my communication skills. Getting an attractive commercial benefit as other peers will encourage me to work harder and feel the value of money through managing my own savings responsibly.”
Arushi Madan, 17, Indian
Universities always look for work experience when assessing applications from students. So I am going to avail this opportunity as it will help me in understanding the practical aspect of the theoretical knowledge I gain in school like how industries work, manage business, carry various processes etc. This will provide an excellent opportunity to feel the real world behind the books. It’ll give me an idea of the skills I might need to thrive in the workplace.
Having work experience is a perfect way to sample all the career options out there. It’s a way of exploring different jobs without actually committing to anything. It will also help in building a network and contacts. We can return to the employers who hired us as interns for future employment.
Reporting by Sajila Saseendran, Senior Reporter; Samihah Zaman, Jumana Khamis, Mary Achkhanian, Staff Reporters and Omnia Fahim, a trainee at Gulf News.
