More Emiratis are taking up private sector jobs

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13,000 Emiratis, jobs, private sector, National Workforce Development Programme, Emirati nationals, jobseekers
The most important thing now is educating Emiratis more about community development and engagement.- Alamy Image

Abu Dhabi - Private sector firms are now keen on working closely with the government and non-government entities.

by

Ismail Sebugwaawo

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Published: Wed 16 Oct 2019, 5:11 PM

More than 13,000 Emiratis have accepted jobs in the private sector over the past 12 years with the support of the National Workforce Development Programme, a top official has said.
In an exclusive interview with Khaleej Times on the sidelines of the Government HR Summit in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, Essa Al Mulla, chief of the National Workforce Development Programme at the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), said employers' perception on taking UAE nationals for private sector jobs has changed over the recent years and that there were positive results about Emiratis being placed in the private sector.
"Our future plans are focused on reducing the number of unemployed persons and attracting Emirati nationals to work in different sectors including construction, health, education and logistics," he added.
He noted that so far, the programme has helped employ 13,000 national jobseekers in the private sector, adding that this momentum will continue as part of a national target to double the Emiratisation rate in the private sector tenfold in the coming years.
"Private sector firms are now keen on working closely with the government and non-government entities towards developing a better workforce for the future by recruiting young Emiratis, training them and developing their skills," he said.
The official noted that the most important thing now is educating Emiratis more about community development and engagement and preparing for new and future jobs that are currently not in the market so they are more competitive.
"The private sector is looking for people who are ready to learn, add value to themselves and pass it on the company in return," he said.
Al Mulla said that according to the Dubai Statistics Centre, the unemployment rate among Emiratis has reduced from 10.7 per cent in 2005 to 4 per cent in 2018.
The three-day annual summit, the biggest public sector HR event in the GCC, has brought together the world's most influential business thinkers, local and international solution providers and top HR decision makers. The event highlights GCC success stories of putting people first, best practice implementation, top HR and technology trends and thought-provoking industry content.
Getting the best out of human capital
Speaking about getting the best out of human capital, Melanie Weaver Barnett, chief executive education officer, Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan, USA, said people give their very best when they are energised by their work.
"That happens when the organisation is winning, the culture is an engaging one, and people see the positive purpose of their work. All of this cannot happen unless people have the capabilities and confidence they need to succeed," she said.
"Now more than ever, the public sector is being challenged to transform, and to invest in developing leaders who have these necessary capabilities to create transformation. The challenge is not about finding the products or solutions to enable digital transformation; instead it's about creating a culture that enables transformational change and a system that equips the leaders with the mindsets and skills to drive the change and implement the solutions. HR leaders need to engage positive leaders who implement change in a way that engages people in the process."
On the role of public sector HR leaders, Dr Ahmed Abdalla Nasser, assistant secretary-general of the Shurah Council, Bahrain, said: "Leadership is vital to the public sector not only because of its positive impact on job performance and employee satisfaction but also because of how it dictates the extent of effectiveness of government and public agencies."
Ismail@khaleejtimes.com


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