Pupils 'need guiding into private-sector careers'

ABU DHABI // Government schools have been urged to provide career counselling for pupils as young as 14 to broaden their outlook and make them more aware of private-sector opportunities.

Only 4 per cent of the capital's Emirati workforce is employed in the private sector and experts say this is because of a lack of career guidance from an early age.

Essa Al Mulla, the executive director of national workforce development for the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, said the public sector was reaching saturation point.

Mr Al Mulla said if children were not groomed early to adapt to market needs, unemployment would become a critical problem in the country.

"There needs to be a way to bridge the gap and train pupils today in professions and skills required by employers," he said.

"Education plays a major role in changing the attitudes of the children towards careers in the private sector."

Mr Al Mulla will next week be participating in Najah, a career and education fair with a focus on Emiratisation.

The fair, which will take place between October 18 and 20 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, will include sessions on how to choose the right profession, and the importance of career guidance will be highlighted.

Most Emiratis gravitate towards government jobs because of the pay packages, benefits and fewer work hours.

Organisations such as Tanmia, the National Human Resource Development and Employment Authority, have started workshops in schools to encourage young people and dispel some misconceptions.

The Khalifa Fund has also set aside Dh440 million to help to train and boost the salaries of Emiratis hired in non-government positions.

"These perceptions must change and they must be made aware of the benefits and career progressions possible in the private sector as well," said Mr Al Mulla.

Ibrahim Sabeel, the head of the external relations unit at Tanmia, said the major challenge in schools was the lack of a career guidance that "helps pupils sort out their interests, opens them to new areas and sets them on a path towards a satisfying career".

Mr Al Mulla said having a counsellor at every school should be compulsory.

"They should be available throughout the school day and must start holding workshops, analysing the children's skills and what subjects are best suited for them, and this should start before they reach high school," he said.