University students to connect with companies for part-time work

The Dubai Creative Clusters Authority will connect more then 4,500 businesses with 26,000 university students to gain experience in the workplace.

DUBAI // The Dubai Creative Clusters Authority will connect more then 4,500 businesses with 26,000 university students looking for part-time work.

As the region’s first government free zone regulator, DCCA will allow the next generation of creative talent to gain industry experience to complement their fields of study and increase their employment prospects post-graduation.

“Dubai Creative Clusters Authority seeks to foster the growth of vibrant creative sector ecosystems to create an enabling environment for entrepreneurs, industry leaders and creative talent,” said Ahmed Bin Byat, Director General of DCCA.

The UAE is currently ranked second and third in the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report for talent attraction and talent retention, respectively.

Notably, the new regulation is anticipated to bridge the knowledge-skills gap identified as a challenge in the Arab region by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.

A study conducted by Aon Hewitt in 2016 found 57 per cent of local organisations cite a lack of availability of talent with the necessary qualifications as being a key barrier to recruiting in the UAE.

“Through opening up opportunities that allow students to gain real-world industry experience, the Student Part-time Work Regulation will bridge the knowledge-skills gap,” added Mr Bin Byat.

The ‘Earn while you Learn’ programme will give students an opportunity to work in sectors such as technology, life sciences and energy, which are all represented within the nine clusters regulated by DCCA.

Furthermore, it will give SMEs, which account for approximately 60% of private sector employment in the world, the flexibility to build capacity for short term projects with a more cost-effective recruitment model.