What's in store for Dubai job seekers in 2020?

In five years time, when Expo 2020 will happen in Dubai, what will be your job? That was the thought-provoking question nearly 100 selected Gems students, mostly from grade 10, 11 and 12, faced on Tuesday, at the Etihad Airways' headquarters in Abu Dhabi.
A similar workshop was organised for more than 20 invited students from GEMS schools in Abu Dhabi and Dubai on the sidelines of Expo MIlan 2015, to equip the future generation to know about the career options that await them, when Dubai Expo will open its doors to the world in 2020.
The workshop on environment, sustainability and Emirati culinary heritage were presented by Etihad and Masdar staff, including an Emirati chef,
"The various activities hosted by Etihad Airways at Expo Milan 2015 for GEMS students are examples of real-world learning, which will add a new dimension to our student enrichment," said Dino Varkey, GEMS Group executive director and board member.
Wissam Hachem, vice-president of learning and development at Etihad Airways, told participating students about the best jobs Dubai Expo 2020 will create.
"You are at an age now when you have to make some career choices. In five years time, when Expo 2020 will happen in Dubai, you will be university students or even working. Who here likes Lego? Who likes video games? Who likes shopping? Who likes travelling by airplane, by bus or by train? And who likes spending money," Hachem asked students, getting a show of hands at each question.
Hachem then added that a passion for Lego could lead to a career as an architect, while video game "addicts" could be tomorrow's technology innovators. An interest in the means of travelling may land a career in transportation.
Linden Coppell, head of sustainability at Etihad Airways, talked to students about UAE's and particularly Etihad's efforts in a cleaner, greener and more sustainable future.
With over 100,000 flights taking off every day worldwide, the aviation industry is one of the greatest air polluters.
According to Coppell, Etihad Airways is working to cut down carbon dioxide emissions since 2006 and last year it managed to reduce them by 25 per cent.
Etihad Airways is also working with Masdar to come up with a more "green" fuel, already testing a 16 hours flight using cooking oil based fuel four years ago, and again last year.
silvia@khaleejtime.com