UAE job opportunities surge 12% in 1 month

Job opportunities for professionals in the UAE has gone up by an impressive 12 per cent just in a month’s time – from January 2014 and February 2014, according to a new survey by recruitment firm Morgan McKinley.

Revealing its latest data, the recruitment company, says that the hiring market picked up in February following a slow start the month before, marking the New Year.

“Following a quieter than expected January, when the professional jobs market was slow to pick up after the New Year break, February’s UAE Employment Monitor recorded a 12 per cent month-on-month rise in available positions across the region – from 1,996 to 2,238 professional roles. Compared to the same period last year, vacancies are also up, from 2,101 recorded in February 2013,” said the release.

Candidates actively seeking professional opportunities numbered 11,366 in February 2014, up from 10,620 in January 2014 – a 7 per cent increase month-on-month.  Year-on-year data also shows a jump from February 2013, when 10,148 professionals were active in the jobs market.

Just yesterday, online job portal, Bayt.com, revealed that in the UAE, 61 per cent of companies claimed in its survey that they will either probably or definitely hire in the coming 3 months, increasing job opportunities in the market and in the next 12 months, 67 per cent of companies in the country anticipate that they will hire.

This rise in professional opportunities comes on the back of many factors, as per the experts at Morgan McKinley.

There have been a number of key sectors, says Trefor Murphy, Managing Director, Morgan McKinley UAE.

“In particular we’ve seen heightened demand from chemical plants throughout Saudi Arabia and Iraq, as the region seeks to diversify from crude oil exports and capitalise on the worldwide appetite for petrochemicals. Likewise, the power industry continues to expand, especially in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, with a move from oil and gas into renewables.

“Elsewhere, oil and gas operators across Iraq and Africa have stepped up their exploration programmes, which has prompted a need for professionals with specific expertise in that area.  Meanwhile, food and beverage companies across the region are also expanding, boosting a need for supply chain, procurement and manufacturing experts.

“Lastly, as we progress through 2014, we’re likely to see local businesses undertaking significant re-structuring programmes at mid-management level, particularly within the real estate, energy and manufacturing spheres.  Firms are gearing up for a consistent growth period and adding to head counts in anticipation of heightened demand,” he added.

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