Khaleej Times - 24/4/2006

His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, inaugurated Careers UAE 2006 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC) yesterday.


A large number of students and young professionals attended the sixth edition of the premier recruitment, training and education exhibition on the first day.

Shaikh Mohammed, accompanied by a high-profile entourage comprising business leaders, VIPs and other dignitaries, toured the exhibition, which will run till April 25 in Halls 5, 6 and 7 of the DICEC. He spoke to various exhibitors and inquired about schemes and opportunities available for students and job-seekers, who are expected to attend the fair in their thousands.

Said Dr Nader Mohammed, Executive Director, Operations, Emaar: “The Careers UAE helps in raising awareness about job opportunities available for nationals in the country."

Emaar properties, he said, aims at achieving 100 per cent emiratisation at the middle and senior management jobs over the next five years. Currently, the company has achieved 50 per cent emiratisations at these levels, he said, explaining that it will build on its ‘Afaq’ programme launched in November 2005 which aims at channelling local talent into senior key positions throughout Emaar in both the UAE and abroad.

He stressed an area that needs to be addressed — integration of Special Needs UAE nationals into the Emaar workforce.

“There is no quota currently earmarked by the government to induct special needs workforce in an organisation, but as good citizens, it should be our prime concern to offer job opportunities to this segment of the society,” Dr Mohammed said.

Thani bin Garsh, Director of Human Resources at Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) Dubai urged UAE nationals to take up academic programmes in the aviation and related industry because of the immense job opportunities available in this growing sector.

Thani bin Garsh noted: “This year alone, following the expansion of the Dubai International Airport, over 1,300 jobs exists for UAE nationals ranging from jobs as security screeners and operations, finance, HR, administration, customer services and media relations. And over the next five years, thousands of job opportunities will be available in the aviation sector."

Meanwhile, increasing opportunities will be available in the Free Zone companies in the country in future.

Yousuf Ali Abdulla Behzad, Director HR, Strategy and Planning, Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority (Dafza) noted, there is no quota for jobs for nationals currently fixed for the free zone companies.

"But, we have surpassed the quota for nationals’ jobs in local departments in Dubai. Currently, nationals make up for 73.4 per cent of jobs at Dafza and by the end of the year will rise to 75 per cent,” Behzad pointed out.

Financial services represent the largest zone in Careers UAE 2006, with 23 exhibitors. The commerce and trade zone is the next biggest with 20 exhibitors, 14 of whom are taking part for the first time. Leading participants from the trade sector include Majid Al Futtaim Group, Al Tayer, Al Naboodah, Gargash Enterprises and Al Shaya Group.

Organiser Dubai World Trade Centre has widened the reach and effectiveness of Careers UAE by working closely with partners Tanmia, Zayed University, Higher Colleges of Technology and UAE University, in a concerted marketing and publicity campaign.