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More UAE nationals now eye better job prospects

DUBAI — An increasing number of employed UAE nationals seeking better job opportunities has resulted in the country registering an unusually high unemployment rate, which does not reflect the exact number of unemployed, a senior official has said.

Azza Al Sharhan, director of Emirates National Development Programme (ENDP), disclosed this while speaking at the Ramadan Majlis organised by Dubai Press Club.

Substantiating her statement, Al Sharhan said: “Out of the 10,000 UAE nationals registered with ENDP, nearly 4,000 are already employed, and are seeking better prospects. It’s unfortunate that the names of nearly 1,000 UAE nationals had to be removed from our database after they failed to attend more than four interviews.”

Al Sharhan discussed the issues involving Emiratisation and stressed on the private sector’s responsibility to employ more UAE nationals based on their job requirements, qualifications, skills, and interests.

She said: “Although the private sector has begun implementing the mandatory quota of up to four per cent jobs for the UAE nationals, most of these positions do not offer career growth prospects. This has resulted in large-scale resignations. Moreover, the disparity between the scope of work and the qualifications of the nationals has led to demotivation and more resignations.”

Al Sharhan also pointed out that main reason for the UAE graduates’ inability to find suitable jobs was not a weakness of the academic system, but it was the lack of specialised education, and the failure of universities and colleges to offer vocational guidance.

She pointed out: “The graduates of the Higher Colleges of Technology, for instance, are eligible to enter the labour market as they possess the necessary skills. However, they lack the specialisation that businesses in the UAE require.”

Meanwhile, the Ramadan Majlis saw the unveiling of a new ENDP programme offering professional career guidance to students. “These courses will enable the UAE nationals locate suitable jobs,” Al Sharhan noted.