Emiratis urged to look to private sector as demand for Sharjah Government jobs outstrips supply

SHARJAH // Demand for Sharjah government jobs is outstripping supply, and Emiratis are being urged to look more to the private sector to advance their careers.

The Government’s human resources director said that there are at least 6,000 Emirati jobseekers in the emirate, but last year jobs were found for about 3,500 people.

It creates a challenging climate, he said at the Sharjah National Career Fair.

“We have no fewer than 6,000 jobseekers in the emirate. The numbers increase every year. We train them to be able to compete in job openings not in Sharjah alone but all across the country,” said director Tariq bin Khadim.

“It’s a challenge to prepare them to find a job and get through the interview process as the competition is fierce.”

Last year, Sharjah government’s HR department found 3,558 jobs for citizens, although 1,070 of that number were in the private sector.

Mr bin Khadim said that citizens still prefer public sector jobs

“They opt for the job security in the public sector. However, the private sector has been providing excellent opportunities and great salaries, with a chance for rapid advancement in their careers,” he said.

A team at the H R department has been sent to universities and high schools to advise and educate students about promising job markets and the best ways to get a decent job.

Najla Al Zamani, head of support services at Sharjah Department of eGovernment, said more Emiratis have been breaking stereotypes by working in the highly-competitive and demanding field of technology.

“We have Emiratis working irregular and long hours in very demanding technical jobs, and we are looking for more eager and talented graduates to help us increase the number of nationals to reach more than 90 per cent [of the eGovernment workforce],” she said.

“As long as they are passionate and hard-working, we will provide them with expertise and guidance to advance in their careers.”

More than 75 per cent of the eGovernment department are locals, and the aim is to hit 90 per cent in the near future.

Meanwhile, jobseekers with only high school diplomas are finding it hard to find a well-paying job.

Emirati Hamida Ali drove from Al Dhaid, in the central region of Sharjah, to find work.

“I have applied everywhere today. The job opportunities are minimal for high school degree holders, and if found, the salaries are not enough,” said the 27-year-old.

Ahmed Mohammed Abdulla has not found one job since he finished high school in 2011.

“I suffer from tremors - my body and limbs shake involuntary - which made finding a job impossible,” said the 23-year-old, who went to the jobs fair from Dubai.

“Recruiters see my condition and say that they will look into hiring me. None called back so far,” said the Emirati.

Meanwhile, in the environmental sector, companies such as Bee’ah are working hard to attract Emiratis to join their ranks, said its chief development officer, Fahd Al Shehail.

“We don’t have Emiratis with experience in our line of business, however, it is our mission to to attract more of them to join our ranks and build a career path in a vital sector like ours,” he said.

Emiratis at Bee’ah compromise of 40 per cent of the total employees.

The three-day career fair at Sharjah Expo Centre ends on Friday.

tzriqat@thenational.ae