FUJAIRAH // A career in the police force was a popular choice for the hundreds of young Emiratis who attended the first day of a job fair on Tuesday.
The three-day Fujairah Career Fair at Sheikh Khalifa Hall offered more than 500 positions with more than 120 companies and organisations from the public and private sector.
Hayat Al Hammadi had found a job at the fair in 2013, but was now looking for a chance to work for Abu Dhabi Police.
“I applied today to join Abu Dhabi Police as an accountant,” said Ms Al Hammadi, 27. “I work in a government organisation but my husband’s work is in Abu Dhabi and I need to find a job there with a good salary.
“This fair provides so many opportunities. I attended it in 2013 and this is where I found my first job as an accountant. I recommend it to all the jobseekers out there who are looking for the perfect job.”
Hamad Rashed, 22, who is in his final year of business studies, was also keen on the police force.
“This is my first visit to a career fair. It is well organised with many career options but I would prefer to work with Dubai Police to help protect my country and to ride the most expensive cars in the world.
“They told me that if I apply today I will be recruited on the spot after they review my papers and undergo a medical check,” Mr Rashed said.
Col Khalid Al Shamsi, deputy director of human resources at Dubai Police, said his organisation had designated 261 jobs for Emiratis from Fujairah.
He said the recruitment procedures could be completed on the spot, with suitable candidates having medical checks and the necessary paperwork within 50 minutes.
Another jobseeker, Arwa Azziz, came from Dibba with her friends to find a job with a better salary.
“We work in a governmental entity but we are looking for better opportunities and we don’t mind moving to another emirate,” she said.
“Living expenses are getting higher every year, so we need a job that would cover it,” said Ms Azziz.
High school pupils also attended to learn about career paths by visiting stalls and attending workshops.
Aishah Basher, 18, from Lubaba Bint Al Hareth High School in Al Bidya, attended a workshop on industries and workforces.
“I’m so excited to be here. It is a great opportunity to get introduced to so many companies and to know about their requirements and needs to prepare ourselves,” she said.
“I’m looking forward to attending the workshop to know more about the available industries. This definitely will help me in choosing the right major at university.”
Mohammed Al Zeyoudi, director general of Fujairah Human Resources Department, said the fair helped Emirati jobseekers and employers to meet together under one roof.
“It is a great opportunity for the jobseekers and companies to meet up and exchange knowledge and information for future employment,” he said.
“This year, we are focusing on innovation and Emiratisation is our priority.”
Mr Al Zeyoudi said that at last year’s event, 2,457 job seekers had attended, with 92 per cent of these being women, and 77 per cent found work there.
rhaza@thenational.ae
