UAE ministries launch new drive to create 2,000 jobs for Emiratis

Recruitment fairs will be held next month as part of a new initiative to help Emiratis to climb the career ladder

Suhail Al Mazroui, Minister of Energy and Industry, is backing efforts to increase the number of Emiratis in the workplace. Pawan Singh / The National

Two UAE ministries have joined together to provide 2,000 new jobs in the energy and electricity sectors as part of a major drive to boost the Emirati workforce.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has teamed up the Ministry of Energy and Industry to spearhead an initiative aimed at harnessing the talents of UAE citizens.

Recruitment fairs will be held in September as part of an ambitious 100-day strategy to boost numbers of Emiratis in work.

The move came after a meeting between Suhail Al Mazroui, Minister of Energy and Industry and Nasser Al Hamli, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, which was also attended by a number of potential employers.

“The energy sector in the UAE is one of the significant and vital sectors that saw remarkable developments in recent decades," said Mr Al Mazroui.

"The UAE has played a pivotal role in the world’s energy map by being in the lead in terms of preparing and launching specialized strategies, initiatives and activities."

He said increasing numbers of Emiratis contributing to the economy remained high on the national agenda and called on companies within the energy and electricity sectors to play their part in the campaign.

Mr Al Hamli said the scheme was part of a wider effort to “raise the Emiratisation rate in the private sector to 5 per cent by 2021”.

“Accelerating Emiratisation in the electricity and energy sectors will provide attractive employment opportunities for national human resources and support these sectors with highly qualified nationals capable of leading these fast growing sectors”, he said.

Mr Al Hamli stressed the importance of the government and private sectors to work in tandem to achieve Emiratisation targets.

Equipping Emiratis with the skills to thrive in the modern workplace has been a key goal for UAE rulers in recent years.

In May, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid launched a year-long initiative to hone the talents of Emiratis workforce - and create an "economic engine" driving the country forward.

The Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, rolled out the My Skills 12x12 campaign aimed at future-proofing citizens by arming them with new knowledge and expertise every month for the next year.

The wide-ranging programme focuses on 12 different skills needed to help cement the UAE as a leading player on the world stage for decades to come.

It was the first in a series of policies to fall under the Strategy for the Advanced Skills National Programme, approved by the UAE Cabinet on Sunday.