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DUBAI - Companies in the UAE are looking for Emirati candidates who possess advanced communication and soft skills as technical training will be provided by the companies itself.
Careers UAE 2012, the annual career fair exclusively for Emirati job seekers, has recruiters who are on the lookout for flexible, tech-savvy and energetic youth to join their task force.
The fair was inaugurated by Shaikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre on Monday. The fair will run till tomorrow.
Being held under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, a wide range of private and public organisations are participating this year, including companies in aviation, banking, oil and gas, hospitality, retail, telecommunication, transport, and municipal and government divisions.
Both government and private companies said that there will not be gender discrimination of any sort and Emiratis belonging to all age groups are welcome to apply for jobs. Though participants have voiced interest to work for the government, finance and IT firms, Emiratis are now showing interest in careers in sectors like telecommunication, aviation and other private firms. Human resource managers said the biggest problem they face with Emirati candidates is that most of them come for interviews unprepared.
Telecommunication firms like Du and Etisalat have reserved over 100 vacancies -each for both fresh graduates and experienced candidates.
Jamal Khalifa Lootah, senior director, National Recruitment and Development, Human Resources and Shared Services for du, said the company currently has 100 positions vacant. He noted that there has been a positive change in the candidates who come looking for jobs. “Initially, the first thing they would enquire is about the salary being offered; now they ask about growth opportunities in the firm.”
Most of the candidates come unprepared when they approach companies for a job and they have very little clue on what the company does, he said. “We are currently on the lookout for energetic youth for all departments. Companies now require people to possess stronger communication skills; the company will provide the technical training. In view of the Emiratisation goals, 38 per cent of du’s top management are Emirati and 28 per cent of the middle management.”
The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority is also on the lookout for trained professionals and fresh graduates with high scores in academics and strong bilingual skills. “We are looking for graduates with scores that are 80 per cent and above. As part of the Masar training programme recently launched by the authority, eight youths will be selected and recruited. Students who are pursuing their graduation will be trained during a paid summer internship programme,” said Hamad Al Janahi, Head of Human Resources Section, Corporate Support Department at the authority.
Ahmed Al Ahmedi, Branches Manager of Tanmia (National Human Resource Development and Employment Authority), said the majority of job seekers approaching the authority are youth who have passed high school. “Last year, we received 5,000 applications and most of them were high school graduates.”
Meanwhile, Etisalat is seeking tech-savvy candidates with good communication skills. “A few years ago, pagers and GSM were in vogue. Who uses them now? Companies are on the lookout for employees who are well aware of the changes in technology,” said Hatim Al Nuaimi, vice-president, HR Talent Management of Etisalat.
“The problem with candidates who approach us now is that they have no clue about what they want. So, we need to train them on their soft as well as technical skills. We are looking for a task force that is compatible, willing and with potential to deliver. Currently, 36 per cent of the task force in the middle management is Emirati and 90 per cent in the top management,” said Muntasar Al Reyami, director, Recruitment and Selection.
Firms participating in the exhibition include Al Tayer Group, Commercial Bank of Dubai, DEWA, Dolphin Energy, du, Dubai Duty Free, Emirates Airline, Ericsson, Etisalat, General Holding Corporation, National Bank of Abu Dhabi, and investment company Tawazun.
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