• Home
• /
• UAE
• /
• Education

UAE student alert: These skills will make you irresistible for employers

UAE among top 3 countries with fastest growing group of happiness professionals

If you're a student still scratching your head about which career path to take, here's some friendly - and very valuable - advice. Skill sets in robotics, 3D printing, and the Internet of Things will make you extremely employable in the UAE.
Big data certification adds an edge to a job applicants' profile, and these core skills are highly sought after by UAE employers, according to new research.
This was revealed during the announcement of 'The Economic Graph' (UAE), which was unveiled by LinkedIn, in partnership with the Ministry of Education (MoE) and Smart Dubai Office, on Monday.

Currently, the UAE is number 16 globally in having the highest number of 3D printing and design talent.
And 64 per cent of 3D talent professionals from the UAE work for local companies.
'The Economic Graph' is a digital mapping of the global economy, based on the data of the UAE's three million LinkedIn users. It is the first such data graph of its kind.
It is based on three main aspects: Workforce, Education, and Future Innovation and Skills.
Speaking to Khaleej Times, Dr Ahmad Belhoul, Minister of State for Higher Education Affairs at MoE, said the fact that education was a core focus of the data was "hugely important" to the sector.

"In the absence of such an economic graph, we used to approve and certify programmes based on business plans. But this tool allows us to identify what the market requires in terms of degrees."
What is equally as important is that the data allows potential employees to identify what employers really want.
"The data allows students to identify the skills gap required, which in turn makes them more employable," Dr Belhoul added.
Research and data from the graph also showed that 75 per cent of UAE university graduates started their careers in the UAE.
And when it comes to the most popular fields of study for undergraduate students, Business management, Computer science, and Civil engineering take centre stage.

But this will soon change in light of the future skill-set demand which was highlighted in the data.
"This graph provides visibility and transparency. It will help the Ministry guide private and public universities on what degrees they need to offer."
And the data will soon shape the introduction of new university degrees in Dubai, Dr Belhoul said.
"In my view, once universities understand what kinds of skills are required by employers, it will be in their best interest to adapt to that. I would expect that over the next two to three years universities will be more focused towards skills that are needed as opposed to skills of today."
Dr Ali Mattar, Head of LinkedIn, told Khaleej Times that education was a focus of this data because "students are tomorrow's professionals".
Interestingly, the data also revealed that the UAE is one of the top 3 countries with the fastest growing group of happiness professionals, with a YoY growth of over 100 per cent.
- kelly@khaleejtimes.com

Main skill clusters that will drive innovation in the region: