In an ever-evolving jobs market, Emirati graduates are looking beyond regular pay cheques to roles that also focus on their personal and professional growth.
This is what the government is backing at the third Industrialist Career Exhibition in Abu Dhabi, offering some Emirati graduates, for the first time, on-the-job training opportunities. These include the Hama programme for female candidates, which focuses on developing specialised skills in the industrial and advanced technology sectors.
“The idea was [for] a dedicated programme to upskill and train Emiratis and also offer them sustainable jobs,” said Salama Alawadhi, director of the National In-Country Value Programme at the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT).
Running until October 30, the job fair has offered UAE nationals more than 900 job opportunities across 90 companies. It is held by MoIAT in collaboration with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council (Nafis) and Adnoc Group.
The two previous Industrialist Career Exhibitions provided more than 1,400 jobs. Events like these allow Emiratis access to opportunities across a diverse range of industries.
Moza Alzaabi, 25, found work at Emirates Food Industries as a quality assurance officer at the exhibition last year. She said she had come with no expectations, with her CV in hand and an eagerness to market herself to potential employers. Before she knew it, an interview turned into a job offer and she landed herself a job. “I was a fresh graduate with only university experience and it happened so easily … it felt unbelievable,” she said, adding that she also met President Sheikh Mohamed at the event.
Saif Al Hammadi, 26, who started working at a warehouse after graduating in logistics and supply management in 2023, attends the job fair to see who is hiring and learn “what's new in the industry”. Fatima Almheiri, 22, is constantly on the lookout for jobs that offer “good projects” and flexibility to “work on and improve [herself]”, while Emirati graduate Khowla has applied for a number of industrial jobs at the fair.
Public sector vs private sector: Which is more attractive?
Mr Al Hammadi claims that public sector jobs that align with his career progression plans are hard to find. Describing himself as “goals-oriented”, he said opportunities in the public sector are limited for fresh graduates. Roles that often interest him are reserved for established public sector employees with years of service.
While the private sector offers opportunities for fresh graduates, it also offers them the flexibility to grow. “I plan to work in the private sector for the next five to six years as it's a great way to kick-start my career,” Mr Al Hammadi added. He is also busy exploring ways to further his progression, such as accredited CILT and CIPS logistics courses and a master’s degree.
Ms Almheiri also believes the private sector is “good for beginners”. She says it allows you to “learn more” than in the public sector. While the public sector pays more, she claims the growth opportunities at private companies outweigh that pay disparity.
Exploring new roles
A reluctance among Emirati jobseekers to explore jobs in sales and marketing is adding to pressure on recruiters. Marwan Al Sarkal, chief executive of Carter and White, a luxury essentials brand, told The National that his company is working to challenge that attitude.
Citing how luxury brands such as Hermès and Louis Vuitton have perfected the art of sales by “creating memorable experiences for their clients”, he hopes Emiratis will see the potential in the sector. “Sales can be a prestigious and rewarding path, opening doors to growth and leadership,” he said.
Private companies in the UAE with 50 or more employees have until December 30 to reach the latest Emiratisation target of 6 per cent. First introduced in September 2022, the targets require a 1 per cent increase every six months. The goal is for a 2 per cent increase annually to reach 10 per cent by the end of 2026.
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THE POPE'S ITINERARY
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
RESULTS
5pm Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m
Winner Thabet Al Reef, Bernardo Pinheiro (jockey), Abdallah Al Hammadi (trainer)
5.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner Blue Diamond, Pat Cosgrave, Abdallah Al Hammadi
6pm Arabian Triple Crown Round-1 Listed (PA) Dh230,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner Hameem, Adrie de Vries, Abdallah Al Hammadi
6.30pm Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner Shoja’A Muscat, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7pm Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner Heros De Lagarde, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 (T) 2,400m
Winner Good Tidings, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
How to donate
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
Afghanistan fixtures
- v Australia, today
- v Sri Lanka, Tuesday
- v New Zealand, Saturday,
- v South Africa, June 15
- v England, June 18
- v India, June 22
- v Bangladesh, June 24
- v Pakistan, June 29
- v West Indies, July 4
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
MATCH INFO
Manchester United 1 (Greenwood 77')
Everton 1 (Lindelof 36' og)
BRAZIL SQUAD
Alisson (Liverpool), Daniel Fuzato (Roma), Ederson (Man City); Alex Sandro (Juventus), Danilo (Juventus), Eder Militao (Real Madrid), Emerson (Real Betis), Felipe (Atletico Madrid), Marquinhos (PSG), Renan Lodi (Atletico Madrid), Thiago Silva (PSG); Arthur (Barcelona), Casemiro (Real Madrid), Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa), Fabinho (Liverpool), Lucas Paqueta (AC Milan), Philippe Coutinho (Bayern Munich); David Neres (Ajax), Gabriel Jesus (Man City), Richarlison (Everton), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Willian (Chelsea).
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
The Way It Was: My Life with Frank Sinatra by Eliot Weisman and Jennifer Valoppi
Hachette Books
PREMIER LEAGUE STATS
Romelu Lukaku's goalscoring statistics in the Premier League
Season/club/appearances (substitute)/goals
2011/12 Chelsea: 8(7) - 0
2012/13 West Brom (loan): 35(15) - 17
2013/14 Chelsea: 2(2) - 0
2013/14 Everton (loan): 31(2) - 15
2014/15 Everton: 36(4) - 10
2015/16 Everton: 37(1) - 18
2016/17 Everton: 37(1) - 25
The specs: 2018 BMW X2 and X3
Price, as tested: Dh255,150 (X2); Dh383,250 (X3)
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder (X2); 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline six-cylinder (X3)
Power 192hp @ 5,000rpm (X2); 355hp @ 5,500rpm (X3)
Torque: 280Nm @ 1,350rpm (X2); 500Nm @ 1,520rpm (X3)
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic (X2); Eight-speed automatic (X3)
Fuel consumption, combined: 5.7L / 100km (X2); 8.3L / 100km (X3)
MATCH INFO
Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium, Malayisa
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD
* Second leg in Australia on October 10
RACE CARD
6.30pm: Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.05pm: Meydan Sprint – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (Turf) 1,000m
7.40pm: Curlin Stakes – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (D) 2,200m
8.15pm: UAE Oaks – Group 3 (TB) $125,000 (D) 1,900m
8.50pm: Zabeel Mile – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,600m
9.25pm: Balanchine – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,800m
10pm: Al Shindagha Sprint – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (D) 1,200m
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
