UAE: Monthly allowances, scholarships for students who work in private, health sectors

Students in high school, universities and graduates looking for jobs have been educated on the importance of working for private firms and in the health sector and the many government privileges they can get, including monthly allowances and education scholarships.

This was during a virtual workshop organised by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation which introduced the young UAE nationals to the importance of working in the private sector, and to motivate them to participate in the “health programme” sponsored by the National Talent Competitiveness Council “Nafis”.

Wedad Al Shamlan, director of the Vocational Guidance Department at the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, stressed the importance of working in the private sector and the promising job privileges it offers to Emirati cadres, especially in the targeted vital economic sectors. Foremost of these is the health sector, which calls for strengthening the labour market with Emiratis in various health specialities.

She cited the package of qualitative advantages that the "health programme" provides to the targeted citizens. “The health sector offers 2,000 free scholarships, in addition to the monthly allowances and job opportunities it provides after fulfilling the requirements and passing the required conditions,” said Al Shamlan.

The UAE government had in September last year announced 13 new schemes to encourage 75,000 Emiratis to work in the private sector over the next five years.

As part of the Projects of the 50 initiatives, officials unveiled ‘Nafis’, a federal programme to increase the number of Emiratis employed in the private sector from 2 per cent to 10 per cent.

Nafis consists of 13 projects and development initiatives at a total cost of Dh24 billion. These include a salary support scheme that offers up to Dh5,000 per month for five years; a Dh1 billion fund dedicated to supporting graduate students and their start-ups; and unemployment benefits, among others.

Dr. Adel Saeed Sajwani, a family medicine consultant at Fakeeh University Hospital reviewed the importance of working and investing in the medical and health sector as it is an integrated and disciplined work system that includes dozens of different jobs.

“There is sustainability in these jobs led by Emirati cadres,” he said.

Sajwani stressed the importance of the “health programme” launched by “Nafis” because of the support it provides and the opportunities that must be exploited by young citizens.

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