Exhibitors said they have noticed a significant increase in the number of Emiratis attending this year's career fair.
Abu Dhabi - Thousands of young Emiratis flocked to the opening day of Twadheef Recruitment Show at Adnec on Monday morning, with fresh graduates handing out their resumes left, right and centre.
Published: Mon 29 Jan 2018, 8:36 PM
Updated: Tue 30 Jan 2018, 3:40 PM
Young Emiratis are ready to face the challenges of new job areas and are buoyed by the government's efforts to increase employment in the country.
Thousands of young Emiratis flocked to the opening day of Twadheef Recruitment Show at Adnec on Monday morning, with fresh graduates handing out their resumes left, right and centre.
"There are so many graduates in engineering, but it surprises me that they still haven't been hired by anyone," said 23-year-old Hamda Al Zari, who graduated in chemical engineering.
Her sister Noora said she hopes the exhibition will open doors for young Emiratis like herself, who are waiting to get hired.
"We came here to find jobs, we are looking for jobs, any jobs," said the 26-year-old business administration graduate.
"I hope the unemployed Emiratis will find opportunities here," she added.
Buthaina Marhoun, a 21-year-old jobseeker, said she applied for numerous jobs at the fair, adding that even if she will not be hired in her field, she is still willing to work in other areas.
"I graduated in aircraft maintenance engineering and I hope to find a job in aviation - it's something I truly want to do.
"But even if I can't find a job in aviation, I will work in other fields.
The fresh graduate said it is her first time at the exhibition and she was surprised by the number of turnouts.
"There are so many Emiratis who are trying to find jobs, and an exhibition like this will hopefully give us opportunities to secure the jobs that we deserve."
Another jobseeker, 25-year-old Shamsa, said: "I have applied for both public and private sector jobs, and even applied for positions that are not related to my field. I just want to start working."
Emiratisation in focus
Exhibitors said they have noticed a significant increase in the number of Emiratis attending this year's career fair.
"We are witnessing more Emiratis, particularly fresh graduates, coming to the exhibition," said Sultan Al Bastaki, associate manager in talent acquisition, Emirates Global Aluminum (EGA).
"We will have around 2,500 Emiratis coming to our stand by the third day."
EGA, which employs more than 7,000 people in the UAE including 1,200 Emiratis, is aiming for 40 per cent Emiratisation by 2020, and is thus looking to recruit 50 Emiratis from the career fair.
"We have recruited 95 Emiratis who were fresh graduates last year. The focus for 2018 is to attract students in the STEM fields, we have 50 positions available, which is in addition to the 180 students enrolled in the scholarship programme."
Talal Ahmed, director of talent acquisition, New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), said that the university seeks to attract top global talent, including a growing number of UAE Nationals, to join its dynamic and diverse staff.
"It's been only one day at the exhibition, but we already had a lot of Emiratis coming in, from different experiences and different backgrounds."
He said it is vital for fresh graduates to work in the private sector, prior to jumping in the public sector.
"They will get a lot of different experiences from the private sector, which they can implement in the government sector later."
"We are looking at UAE nationals first, and then we look at expats." He said 10 per cent of the staff are Emiratis, but hopes it will increase to 20 per cent by 2020.
"It's been only one day at the exhibition, but we already had a lot of Emiratis coming in, from different experiences and different backgrounds."
He said it is vital for fresh graduates to work in the private sector, prior to jumping in the public sector.
"They will get a lot of different experiences from the private sector, which they can implement in the government sector later."
jasmine@khaleejtimes.com
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