Emirati youth try their luck at Abu Dhabi job fair

Sheikh Nahyan Mabarak Al Nahyan during a tour of the career fair.

Thousands of Emirati job seekers flocked to the Emiratisation career fair - Tawdheef - on the first day to submit their CVs and meet potential employers.
Sheikh Nahyan Mabarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance, inaugurated the job fair that kicked off at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec) on Monday, and will run until January 30.
Emirati fresh graduates, students and those looking for better job opportunities gathered at the employment and training opportunities exhibition to try out their luck as more than 100 public institutions and private companies showcased opportunities.
Asma Al Memari, a 23-year-old who graduated from the Petroleum Institute in Abu Dhabi six months ago, visited the fair on the first day and she is hopeful she might find a job as many companies have taken her CV. "I graduated in June last year and majored in chemical engineering but I haven't found a suitable position yet," she told Khaleej Times at Tawdheef.
"I have visited many companies and also applied online looking for a job, but it's absurd that most employers want people with experience which makes it complicated."
She added: "I have submitted my CV to some petroleum companies at this job fair and I have hope that I will be considered for employment. All I need now is a job and I care less about the salary."
Salem Mohammed, 25, a graduate from Dubai Men's College, came to see career fair to see if he could find job. "I first graduated in aviation in 2016 and now I am finalising a degree in electronic engineering," he said. "I am here at this career exhibition to see if I can find a job in the field of electronic engineering."
For Faridah Ahmed, 24, she had majored in multi-media design at an Abu Dhabi University and has spent two years now without getting employment. "I am here to see if I can find a job. I had majored in multi-media design at the university but I have spent two years now without getting employment. I have done many interviews but I haven't gotten luck with getting a job in my profession because of the lack of experience," she said at the job fair.
"I had applied for many jobs but I couldn't be taken on as most employers were keen on the work experience something hard for a fresh graduate."
According to Ahmed, employers asking for experience is such a big challenge for fresh graduates a many might have the energy, the passion for the job and willing to learn but left out because of luck of experience.
Tawdheef is the perfect platform for public and private companies interested in developing their UAE national workforce and meeting qualified Emirati professionals and graduates.
ismail@khaleejtimes.com