The Dubai Government is set to roll out training and development programmes to help Emiratis secure better jobs and identify their career goals, Emirates Business has learned.
And Essa Al Mulla, Executive Director of Nationals Workforce Development, yesterday urged private sector companies to join in with the schemes.
The government, drawing on the results of studies carried out over the past five years, plans to take basic steps such as offering career advice in schools.
"The government will soon make it mandatory for all schools to offer career counselling," Al Mulla said. "The main reason why Emiratis find it difficult to identify and pursue a specific career is because schools do not offer career counselling. Only colleges do, but that's a little too late."
The government has studied international methods and is benchmarking standards. "We have been working on this diligently and quality, effective career counselling will soon become a reality in schools," said Al Mulla. Most nationals today seek business management or government roles, and early counselling will change this.
"If one can understand at an early stage why nationals prefer government jobs they could be offered proper guidance. For example, if they seek those jobs because the working hours are less or the pay is better one can help them to understand that this is misguided and help hone their true skills and potential. Such perceptions have to be changed."
The government is conducting a pilot project to learn about the requirements of the employment market.
"The aim of the project is to train Emiratis for future opportunities," said Al Mulla, who also oversees the Emirates Nationals Development Programme (ENDP). "We have chosen a very practical approach to helping nationals find jobs and are happy with the results so far."
The ENDP has received 20,241 applications for jobs and has trained an additional 528 UAE nationals in different sectors since its inception in 2002. It has placed 5,110 nationals in the private sector, arranging 1,841 placements last year alone.
Abdul Rahman, Head of Emiratisation at LloydsTSB Middle East, said private companies should try to understand the background of the country and its people.
"This will help them to attract the calibre of talent they're looking for," he said. "As more nationals seek better opportunities, private sector companies should focus on preparing them for corporate roles and allow them to compete at every level.
"To Emiratis, I would say be career-driven, understand what career you want to be in, focus on it and find a path you can stick to. Take your time in climbing the ladder so that you can gain real experience. This will lead to senior posts, I assure you."
Some Emiratis attending this week's Careers UAE 2009 expo in Dubai said they suffered from prejudice when applying for private sector jobs.
"Companies seem to think that we may not be sincere about our work," said 21-year-old RA. "But let me tell them that those of us out there looking for jobs are serious and take pride in excelling at carrying out the responsibilities given to us."
Rahman agreed with this view and said there was a large pool of Emirati talent.
"Companies should realise the benefits of having a nationals on board," he said. "They know the country better than anyone else and can therefore add great value to sales and marketing.
"They also provide a big database of contacts that help generate business. In any bank abroad, 80 to 90 per cent of the employees are local because they add great value to the business. It should be the same here."
Al Mulla, however, disagreed that Emiratis faced a tough time finding jobs. "Nationals won't face a major issue in finding a job because the opportunities exist. They need to know how to start looking for a job and learn where the opportunities are.
"If a person is really serious about getting a job he will get one. If nationals feel there is prejudice, it might be true. But I'd like them to remain positive and optimistic and not let it disillusion them.
"They have to be strong and put in solid effort. It is their right and they must manage to show the employer they are confident and make them realise the value they will add to the company."
Omar Al Gaizi, Human Resources Manager at Emirates Islamic Bank, said the firm's role was to guide Emiratis and educate them about Islamic banking, "as well as to inform them about the challenges, learning and growth".
"By helping nationals secure a bright start to their careers we are not only stimulating the banking sector with a burst of new energy, we are also ensuring that our ambitious plans for growth and development remain on a sound footing," he said.
Rahman said 35 per cent of staff at LloydsTSB were UAE nationals. "Emiratis must be the priority because it is their country and they should participate in its development. It is their right to compete for jobs.
"We don't look at it as an obligation or a law we have to fulfil. We look at it as a belief and an integral part of our day-to-day business. We seek high-calibre professionals, attract them to our business and give them genuine placements. Our role helps them set well-defined career paths."
The latest government figures show that 2,200 nationals are currently unemployed and looking for work.
"The government's entire focus is on placing these professionals in jobs," said Al Mulla. "Those who already have jobs and are seeking better opportunities have the tools to do that themselves, they don't need our help. We are here to help the truly unemployed.
"The financial and hotel and tourism sectors had shown the most interest in hiring nationals, and logistics would be the next sector. Logistics has a major requirement for trained professionals so we will be setting up training programmes for nationals and expats. We will keep identifying new sectors and help them to hire skilled professionals."
He said education will remain the government's top priority and programmes covering a number of sectors are to be launched. "There is a need for more diverse education and qualifications. As our studies highlight which jobs will be created in the future we will bring in appropriate, high-quality training."
Improvements to the standard of education – which is provided free to nationals – and increased opportunities for postgraduate study will produce higher calibre Emiratis in the years to come, according to experts at the careers fair.
"The process is slow but it will happen," said one. "Young children are being taught to serve the country. Post-graduate and specialised courses are on the rise. More Emiratis are showing interest in learning different skills and contributing to the country's growth. So the future is bright."
Al Mulla said: "His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, is committed to education. His vision will result in Emiratis competing for the best positions not only in the UAE and the Middle East but around the world."
In line with this commitment to enhance the education and skills of nationals, Deyaar Development this week announced its Noor scholarship for Emirati students in partnership with Dubai's Higher Colleges of Technology.
Deyaar Development CEO Markus Giebel said: "The Higher Colleges of Technology stands at the forefront of educational provision in the UAE, providing young students with the knowledge and skills necessary to compete in the country's increasingly globalised workplace."