An educated and highly skilled local workforce is crucial to the success of any economy. Even more so as the world embraces a new industrial revolution characterised by advanced robotics, digital systems and emerging technologies. As governments invest in understanding the skills future generations will need to play a productive role in society, the private sector must do more to align with schools and universities.
Nowhere is this more relevant than in the Middle East, where the UAE in particular is working towards establishing a globally competitive knowledge-based economy by 2021. And students are responding to emerging opportunities. A recent study published by Dubai International Academic City and Aon Hewitt shows that 69 per cent of university students want to stay in the country after graduation.
A lot of work is being carried out to ensure the transition from classroom to boardroom is more unified, yet according to the international human resources consultancy Mercer, 44 per cent of companies in the UAE don’t have any specific Emiratisation programmes or policies in place.
We need to reduce this figure. If we are going to build a knowledge economy, the private sector needs to engage students on their career choices before they graduate. Doing so will provide the life experiences our youth need to see that their career paths are suitable, and it also increases the influence businesses can have in developing talent.
One of the best ways to do this is partnerships with universities. We must also engage the youth on a more personal level, and as partners exchanging knowledge. Many of the changes taking place in the world are being driven by their preferences, and graduates can offer as many insights as they gain from employment.
Yet despite this understanding, all too many exchanges between companies and students still play out solely at careers fairs and other events, which are important, but frequently come too late in career planning to allow students the time to pivot to a career in the private sector.
In Mercer’s study on Emiratisation and employee engagement, Emirati students identified company reputation and the chance to make progress in their learning as two of the things they look for. If businesses fail to reach students from the outset of their third-level education with opportunities available in the private sector, they run the risk of losing their appeal to graduates.
The need to ensure the opportunities available to students reflect the investment being made in education is the premise behind the recently announced UAE National Youth Agenda. Similarly, the Ministry of Education has entered into a partnership with GE to pioneer a career-oriented innovation and talent development programme for Emirati youth.
In Abu Dhabi, the Education Council said on October 27 that it will offer scholarships only to students in fields where skills are needed in the public and private sectors. In doing so, it highlighted the need for students to receive practical experience so that they are ready for employment directly after graduating.
In our efforts to support the Government, Majid Al Futtaim on October 24 launched a partnership with the University of Saint Joseph Law School. This will let us sponsor talented students in the UAE and Lebanon as they pursue undergraduate degrees in law.
This is based on what we see as a need within our business. As our relationships with partners, suppliers and contractors take place across rapidly expanding geographies and regulatory systems in emerging markets, we require expertise to maintain compliance.
A sustainable employment model can enhance the economic development of the Middle East. Progress will require the collective efforts of the private sector, but the rewards for doing so are clear – a formidable generation of engaged and energised business leaders.
Mouein Al Madhoun is the chief human capital officer at Majid Al Futtaim
business@thenational.ae
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