(MENAFNEditorial) Despite pre-conceived ideas and outdated career perceptions dominating the UAE job market, attitudes of young Emirati job seekers have shown a continuous improvement during the last year, an expert in recruitment and career counseling has said.
Hamza Zaouali, founder and Managing Director of IRIS Executives, an Emiratisation executive search firm, said UAE national job hopefuls have started to adopt a proactive approach towards the job market.
"In the last year, young Emiratis have improved their attitudes toward the job market, but we are also competing with many pre-conceived ideas and outdated ways to perceive a career," said Zaouali, who will be launching a series of new career guidance videos at NAJAH Education and Career Fair, taking place from 29 to 31 October 2013 at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.
"The main challenge for private and government sector employers is to ensure that their perceptions and expectations are aligned with young Emiratis - some do this better than others."
With less than 10 per cent of the UAE private sector workforce consisting of Emiratis, and unemployment hovering around 14 per cent, Zaouali conceded that the public sector still is the number one aim for young Emiratis, though he said this attitude is shifting.
"The public sector still rules as the employer of choice for fresh Emirati graduates, but it would be unfair to not recognise that this is changing," added Zaouali.
"With young Emiratis, we are getting closer and closer to a tipping point and schools and private companies must recognise this and develop the right career guidance programmes to enhance this transition."
Recent figures stipulate that the private sector needs to create some 20,000 jobs a year to cater to the 100,000 to 200,000 young Emiratis entering the work force in the next 10 years. Zaouali believes that the Iris Executive career guidance videos being launched at NAJAH will be beneficial for universities, companies and job-seekers alike, providing solutions to important career management issues, in particular that of employee attrition.
He said: "Over the years, we have witnessed two different types of behaviours with private companies on the matter of attrition of the Emirati workforce. Some private organisations would not have any structure in place and know-how when it comes to hiring Emirati talent. These organisations would be more likely to have a higher attrition rate of their Emirati workforce because essentially they do not attract and retain Emiratis the way they would other employees.
"Other private companies have been able to adapt their HR strategies to the highly competitive emiratisation sector and are able to attract and retain a good portion of their Emirati workforce. These organisations are more likely to compete with government employers, which are very experienced in emiratisation."
Now in its seventh edition, NAJAH will host more than 170 exhibitors including universities, training institutions, and employing organisations eager to meet thousands of school-leavers and recent graduates exploring future opportunities in education and career advancement.
The three-day event is held under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth & Development, and is supported by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the Abu Dhabi Education Council and Dubai International Academic City.
NAJAH is sponsored by ALHOSN University, Ajman University of Science and Technology, Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD), Be You International, Berkeley Middle East and Masdar Institute Further information can be found at www.najahonline.com.
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