‘Best jobs ever’ on offer for Emiratis

SHARJAH - Employment and training opportunities at more than 100 leading financial institutions and government and private sectors will be available for Emirati youth at the three-day National Career Exhibition at the Expo Centre Sharjah from February 20 onwards.

Speaking at a Press conference on Sunday Director-General of Expo Centre Sharjah Saif Mohammed Al Midfa said multi-billion dollar projects announced in the country are sure to generate plenty of employment opportunities. “We foresee strong hiring this year, with the banking and finance and allied sectors offering attractive career avenues to talented Emirati youth,” he said.

Tariq bin Khadim, Saif Mohammed Al Midfa and Jamal Al Jasmi announcing the details about the career exhibition at a Press conference at Expo Centre in Sharjah. — KT photo by M. Sajjad

Some of the big-ticket projects announced include the Mohammed bin Rashid City, the $2.7 billion entertainment complex in Jebel Ali, a $1 billion replica of the Taj Mahal, a canal connecting Dubai’s business district to the sea, and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company’s (Adnoc) projects worth billions of dollars.

Set to showcase 1,000 jobs in the banking sector and thousands more in the Sharjah government, oil and gas, petrochemicals, telecommunications and construction sectors, the National Career Show is projected to be visited by thousands of nationals, who will exceed the 18,159 visitors in its 14^th edition in 2012.

Al Midfa said that apart from the impressive participation of government organisations, the UAE Air Force, Air Defence and Navy, money exchanges, free zones, insurance companies and financial consultants will also offer the best jobs ever. There will be additional activities at the show, including the International Education Show highlighting workshops, symposia, counselling and discussion sessions.

The exhibition, which is open to UAE Nationals only, is held under the patronage of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the UAE Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, in an effort towards Emiratisation.

Tariq bin Khadim, chairman, directorate of human resources in Sharjah, said: “Most of the 2,122 Emirati graduates from all UAE universities in 2012 have found jobs through the National Career Exhibition. In this 15^th edition, we will hopefully provide jobs to the expected 2,500 Emirati graduates this year,” he said.

Leading in providing employment, particularly in Emiratisation, is the banking and financial sector. General manager of the Emirates Institute for Banking and Financial Studies Jamal Al Jasmi said that this year’s edition will offer a minimum of 1,000 jobs to the Emirati youth: “Since 1998, we are consistently increasing Emiratisation by four per cent every year.”

Al Midfa said a growing number of economic indicators are also pointing to robust economic growth in the country: “The UAE economy is estimated to have grown by around four per cent in 2012, at a pace higher than the rate forecast by the International Monetary Fund, which is likely to be sustained in 2013 too.” He said these indicators suggest a significant rise in job opportunities.

“The National Career Exhibition will be organised by Expo Centre Sharjah in association with the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Emirates Institute for the Banking and Financial Studies. It is supported by Sharjah Islamic Bank, National Bank of Abu Dhabi and Commercial Bank of Dubai.

The show timings are from 10am to 8pm on February 20–21 and 4pm to 8pm only on February 22.

lily@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE