Abu Dhabi has put forward a series of recommendations to help meet its human development targets and create a knowledge economy.
The emirate-wide initiatives include setting up a branch of the Petroleum Institute in the Western Region, the creation of a detailed employee database and government-subsidised private sector internships.
The proposals were unveiled yesterday in a report aimed at providing greater transparency of how successfully the emirate is accomplishing its goals with regards to Economic Vision 2030, a comprehensive road map for the development of a diversified economy.
"There are a lot things that need to be done in both the emirate's western and eastern regions, from education to training and acquiring specialised skill sets for UAE nationals - and women in particular - if we want to meet our mission," said Mohammed Omar Abdullah, the undersecretary at Abu Dhabi's Department of Economic Development, which commissioned the bi-annual Abu Dhabi Competitiveness Report.
"Now at least we have a common understanding among all the stakeholders. Everyone is going to work on their part to ensure we are all moving towards the same objective, so we can assess every year where we are and what we can do better, where are the challenges, and how we can deal with them," he said.
The Abu Dhabi Government has injected billions of dirhams into developing industries such as aviation, tourism and business start-ups as part of a strategic plan released in 2008 to diversify the economy away from its reliance on oil.
Abu Dhabi officials have fine-tuned the 2030 plan to reflect the weaker global economic backdrop after the 2008 financial crisis, The National reported last month.
"The authorities have decided what's a priority and moving ahead," said Saleem Khokhar, the head of equity investments at National Bank of Abu Dhabi. "There has been a change from what the original plan was undoubtedly. It's a sensible approach and a longer-term management in terms of supply and demand."
Much of the initial investment by the public sector has been made in infrastructure to develop industries. These include cultural tourism, with museums and property development on Saadiyat Island, clean energy - Masdar City along with an institute focused on research and development - and aerospace including Mubadala's Strata plant in Al Ain to build aircraft parts.
Last week, plans for a new financial free zone on Al Maryah Island that will be named Global Marketplace Abu Dhabi were announced.
"Training [Abu Dhabi's] workforce for high skilled-jobs, and ensuring that the types of knowledge-based sectors and industries exist for the local workforce is the biggest challenge the Emirate currently faces," the report said.
One suggestion included developing a detailed database of the labour force including individual profiles for Abu Dhabi's three regions; Al Ain, the Western Region and Abu Dhabi City.
The data bank would offer "businesses and policymakers with valuable information on the specific composition as well as needs of the region's work force."
"Details include education, skills, experience, specialisation, gender, visa status and other key attributes [that] can then be mapped against business activities, investment and training opportunities."
The report also suggested introducing a programme by which the public sector can subsidise internships in the private sector to encourage UAE nationals to consider positions in private companies and provide them with training.
The report also suggested "to open a branch of the Petroleum Institute" in the Western Region, which has the largest oil and gas reserves in the UAE.
"It could act as a hub for initiatives and activities in the Western Region," the report said.
"By offering skills and education opportunities as well as business and cluster incubation services around petrochemicals, the Institute could take an active role in developing the Western Region."
halsayegh@thenational.ae
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Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
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Rating: 4/5
10 tips for entry-level job seekers
- Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
- Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
- Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
- Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
- Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
- Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
- Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
Types of bank fraud
1) Phishing
Fraudsters send an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The hoax email requests that you provide sensitive information, often by clicking on to a link leading to a fake website.
2) Smishing
The SMS equivalent of phishing. Fraudsters falsify the telephone number through “text spoofing,” so that it appears to be a genuine text from the bank.
3) Vishing
The telephone equivalent of phishing and smishing. Fraudsters may pose as bank staff, police or government officials. They may persuade the consumer to transfer money or divulge personal information.
4) SIM swap
Fraudsters duplicate the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank.
5) Identity theft
Someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways, such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks.
6) Prize scams
Fraudsters claiming to be authorised representatives from well-known organisations (such as Etisalat, du, Dubai Shopping Festival, Expo2020, Lulu Hypermarket etc) contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.
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Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
