From health care to hospitality, financial services to furniture design, understanding technology and artificial intelligence will be essential to school leavers, whatever their plan for embarking on the working world, human resources experts say.
Speaking to The National about current and future job trends, Jennifer Campori, managing director of recruitment company Charterhouse, said the three sectors to watch are data science, analytics and AI.
Ms Campori stressed, however, that as AI and tech innovation are evolving so quickly, it is important to look for courses and institutions that provide the right support and environment to foster continuous learning – and that may not necessarily translate into starting with a degree.
“I spoke to a client today who has just placed a candidate in a very senior role within technology and they're very focused on cryptocurrency, and they are a very well-known brand, and the individual doesn't have a degree,” said Ms Campori. A willingness to learn can be more important than qualifications, she added.
Ms Campori, who comes from the US but has been in the UAE for more than 21 years, said pupils and students are also increasingly looking for security beyond academic rankings. She said an open and welcoming community is important, as well as safety, with many students and parents closely monitoring global tension and geopolitical issues.
“I wouldn't have said it would have been an issue before but I think [it is] now, particularly in the US,” Ms Campori said. “I might feel uncomfortable [studying in the US] as a non-US citizen.”
Driving business
Recent findings from the World Economic Forum's The Future of Jobs Report published in January showed that 60 per cent of employers expect 'broadening digital access' – for example, through upskilling and reskilling staff at work to improve digital competencies – to transform their business more than any other trend.
When asked which technology trends would be driving business transformation over the next five years, 86 per cent said AI and information processing technology.
Recent findings released by QS World University Rankings showed the UAE had climbed to sixth place in an international league table of most improved countries for quality of university subjects offered, including Ajman University's data science and artificial intelligence course which entered the top 100 for the first time.
Daniel Kahn, senior insights specialist at QS, told The National, that this reflects the country’s commitment to digital transformation. “If universities and businesses collaborate more closely to ensure skills development aligns with industry needs, the UAE’s investment in digital transformation will be well-positioned to deliver long-term economic impact,” he said.
Choose wisely
Sarah Brooks, managing director of HR consultancy Fikrah HR, has been in the human resources industry for more than two decades. She told The National the best advice she could offer pupils planning their career beyond choosing the right academic institution is to get experience.
“Start working as soon as possible, undertake an internship, even an unpaid one in a position that's not related to your interests, as it all helps you learn about work, ethics, develops interpersonal skills, leadership, time management and many other skills,” said Ms Brooks.
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
Four tips to secure IoT networks
Mohammed Abukhater, vice president at FireEye in the Middle East, said:
- Keep device software up-to-date. Most come with basic operating system, so users should ensure that they always have the latest version
- Besides a strong password, use two-step authentication. There should be a second log-in step like adding a code sent to your mobile number
- Usually smart devices come with many unnecessary features. Users should lock those features that are not required or used frequently
- Always create a different guest network for visitors
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
What is Reform?
Reform is a right-wing, populist party led by Nigel Farage, a former MEP who won a seat in the House of Commons last year at his eighth attempt and a prominent figure in the campaign for the UK to leave the European Union.
It was founded in 2018 and originally called the Brexit Party.
Many of its members previously belonged to UKIP or the mainstream Conservatives.
After Brexit took place, the party focused on the reformation of British democracy.
Former Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson became its first MP after defecting in March 2024.
The party gained support from Elon Musk, and had hoped the tech billionaire would make a £100m donation. However, Mr Musk changed his mind and called for Mr Farage to step down as leader in a row involving the US tycoon's support for far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson who is in prison for contempt of court.
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
More on animal trafficking
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
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Graduated from the American University of Sharjah
She is the eldest of three brothers and two sisters
Has helped solve 15 cases of electric shocks
Enjoys travelling, reading and horse riding
THE SPECS
Engine: Four-cylinder 2.5-litre
Transmission: Seven-speed auto
Power: 165hp
Torque: 241Nm
Price: Dh99,900 to Dh134,000
On sale: now
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Cofe
Year started: 2018
Based: UAE
Employees: 80-100
Amount raised: $13m
Investors: KISP ventures, Cedar Mundi, Towell Holding International, Takamul Capital, Dividend Gate Capital, Nizar AlNusif Sons Holding, Arab Investment Company and Al Imtiaz Investment Group
