Emirati employees are becoming increasingly drawn to careers in the private sector, with the potential for growth an important factor, industry insiders have told The National.
Thousands flocked to Dubai World Trade Centre for the Ru'ya Careers Fair, in which 180 companies in the private and public sectors took part.
Eman Al Bastaki, group head of Emiratisation and government relations at AW Rostamani Group, said private companies face stiff competition to attract young Emiratis.
“There is huge competition between companies. We have to attract them with positions and good salaries,” Ms Al Bastaki told The National.
“Their mentality is more open now and they are willing to be part of the private sector.”
Keen on progression
Ms Al Bastaki said Emiratis want a clear idea of their prospective employer's vision.
“We have to keep their passion in their jobs and give them a clear plan of their future,” she said. “A comfortable work environment is a tool to attract them.
“If they feel there is any negligence by the company, then they will search for a job in another company. The challenge is how to keep them working in the company for many years.”
More Emiratis than ever want to work in the private sector, she added, noting the role that the government has played in this drive.
“Emiratis are more aware of the importance of the private sector,” she added. “The prospect of career growth in the private sector is what's attracting young jobseekers.”
National vision
The government is stepping up the nationwide Nafis programme, introduced in 2021, to ensure Emiratis make up 10 per cent of the private sector workforce by the end of 2026.
Companies must increase their Emirati workforce by 1 per cent every six months as part of the scheme.
Employers in the UAE with at least 50 members of staff were required to meet a 4 per cent target by the end of 2023. As a result, the Emirati employment rate will increase to 8 per cent by the end of 2025, and 10 per cent in 2026.
Manal Matar, head of employee experience and HR digitalisation at du, told The National that young Emiratis are looking for roles offering training and flexibility.
“They are looking for jobs in a secure and comfortable work environment. They also want training and experience,” Ms Matar said.
“We want to attract graduates and Emiratis with experience. We have three programmes focusing on young students in high schools to build their mentality about the workplace and career development.”
Hussain Sajwani, from Sharjah, graduated in IT this year. “Our generation is very passionate [about] working in any sector, it doesn't matter if it is private or public,” he said.
“We strive to work and build our career. The challenge is the person's own willingness and passion to work.”
Hamdan Al Suwaidi, 21, recently finished his national service and came to the jobs fair for the second year looking for opportunities.
“Private sector companies have some negative sides, like long working hours,” he said. “I can’t get a job in the public sector because they ask for a degree so I’m searching for semi-government jobs.”
Demand for public roles
Meera Al Shamsi, 30, is a regular visitor to the fair despite having a sales job at a private company.
“I want to get a job in the government sector. Despite the Nafis programme, public sector jobs are more secure and stable,” Ms Al Shamsi said.
However, she added, her experience in the private sector could prove valuable in her search for work in government.
“Public sector employers look for experience in the jobseeker and we can gain that by working in private sector.”
Mahra Al Mahri, having worked in sales for a semi-government company for the past eight months, agreed.
“Both private and public sector roles are attracting Emiratis now, but having a job in the government sector can make you feel more secure,” she said.
Her parents did not want her to work in sales, but she says the experience was positive. “I gained experience and knowledge by developing my communication skills,” she said.
Ru'ya Careers Fair - in pictures
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How Filipinos in the UAE invest
A recent survey of 10,000 Filipino expatriates in the UAE found that 82 per cent have plans to invest, primarily in property. This is significantly higher than the 2014 poll showing only two out of 10 Filipinos planned to invest.
Fifty-five percent said they plan to invest in property, according to the poll conducted by the New Perspective Media Group, organiser of the Philippine Property and Investment Exhibition. Acquiring a franchised business or starting up a small business was preferred by 25 per cent and 15 per cent said they will invest in mutual funds. The rest said they are keen to invest in insurance (3 per cent) and gold (2 per cent).
Of the 5,500 respondents who preferred property as their primary investment, 54 per cent said they plan to make the purchase within the next year. Manila was the top location, preferred by 53 per cent.
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Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
$1,000 award for 1,000 days on madrasa portal
Daily cash awards of $1,000 dollars will sweeten the Madrasa e-learning project by tempting more pupils to an education portal to deepen their understanding of math and sciences.
School children are required to watch an educational video each day and answer a question related to it. They then enter into a raffle draw for the $1,000 prize.
“We are targeting everyone who wants to learn. This will be $1,000 for 1,000 days so there will be a winner every day for 1,000 days,” said Sara Al Nuaimi, project manager of the Madrasa e-learning platform that was launched on Tuesday by the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, to reach Arab pupils from kindergarten to grade 12 with educational videos.
“The objective of the Madrasa is to become the number one reference for all Arab students in the world. The 5,000 videos we have online is just the beginning, we have big ambitions. Today in the Arab world there are 50 million students. We want to reach everyone who is willing to learn.”
Coffee: black death or elixir of life?
It is among the greatest health debates of our time; splashed across newspapers with contradicting headlines - is coffee good for you or not?
Depending on what you read, it is either a cancer-causing, sleep-depriving, stomach ulcer-inducing black death or the secret to long life, cutting the chance of stroke, diabetes and cancer.
The latest research - a study of 8,412 people across the UK who each underwent an MRI heart scan - is intended to put to bed (caffeine allowing) conflicting reports of the pros and cons of consumption.
The study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, contradicted previous findings that it stiffens arteries, putting pressure on the heart and increasing the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke, leading to warnings to cut down.
Numerous studies have recognised the benefits of coffee in cutting oral and esophageal cancer, the risk of a stroke and cirrhosis of the liver.
The benefits are often linked to biologically active compounds including caffeine, flavonoids, lignans, and other polyphenols, which benefit the body. These and othetr coffee compounds regulate genes involved in DNA repair, have anti-inflammatory properties and are associated with lower risk of insulin resistance, which is linked to type-2 diabetes.
But as doctors warn, too much of anything is inadvisable. The British Heart Foundation found the heaviest coffee drinkers in the study were most likely to be men who smoked and drank alcohol regularly.
Excessive amounts of coffee also unsettle the stomach causing or contributing to stomach ulcers. It also stains the teeth over time, hampers absorption of minerals and vitamins like zinc and iron.
It also raises blood pressure, which is largely problematic for people with existing conditions.
So the heaviest drinkers of the black stuff - some in the study had up to 25 cups per day - may want to rein it in.
Rory Reynolds
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British group
Coldplay
Foals
Bring me the Horizon
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British Female
Mabel
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British male
Harry Styles
Lewis Capaldi
Dave
Michael Kiwanuka
Stormzy
Best new artist
Aitch
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Mabel
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Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber - I Don’t Care
Mabel - Don’t Call Me Up
Calvin Harrison and Rag’n’Bone Man - Giant
Dave - Location
Mark Ronson feat. Miley Cyrus - Nothing Breaks Like A Heart
AJ Tracey - Ladbroke Grove
Lewis Capaldi - Someone you Loved
Tom Walker - Just You and I
Sam Smith and Normani - Dancing with a Stranger
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Ariana Grande
Billie Eilish
Camila Cabello
Lana Del Rey
Lizzo
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Bruce Springsteen
Burna Boy
Tyler, The Creator
Dermot Kennedy
Post Malone
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Stormzy - Heavy is the Head
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Rising star
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More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
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Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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Libya's Gold
UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves.
The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.
Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
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VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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