Young Emirati job-seekers throng careers fair

More than 100 local and international government and private sector companies attended the exhibition in Abu Dhabi.

Jobseekers at the recruitment fair in Abu Dhabi yesterday are briefed on the careers available in the Armed Forces. Ravindranath K / The National

ABU DHABI // Bright young Emiratis looking for a career. Employers looking for bright young Emiratis. And for three days they’re all in one place.

More than 100 local and international government and private sector organisations have set up their stalls at the Tawdheef recruitment event at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, and students and graduates sought an opportunity to make their mark on potential employers.

“It is one chance to find all these companies in one place, especially all the high reputation companies,” said Mohammed Al Hashemi, 21, who recently graduated from the Higher Colleges of Technology in Abu Dhabi.

“So it is a good opportunity to find a good job here.”

A finance graduate, he would like a position that would best use the skills he learnt at college. “Any company related to finance would be really good as a start.”

Khalifa Mohammed, 20, clutched a bag of prospectuses as he stood among a long queue of people snaked around the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company booth.

“I am searching for a job,” said Khalifa, who travelled from Al Ain to the fair.

“For anything really, but I would like Adnoc. It is a very big company.”

Maitha Nuaimi, 18, an electrical engineer undergraduate at the Higher College of Technology, is starting her job search even before she completes her bachelor’s degree course.

“I am searching for a sponsorship,” she said, pointing to a National Petroleum Company booth to highlight her company of choice.

Clutching an envelope of CVs, Azzam Harthi, 21, is at the career fair for a third year. He has applied for many jobs across a broad spectrum but without success and hopes this year’s fair will bring him better luck.

“I have been coming here for three years. Every time I come and give them my CV but I have no luck,” said Azzam, who would like a mechanical engineering job. “I want to work.”

It was not just recent graduates that were looking for opportunities at the fair. Some already in employment were looking to develop and improve their skills.

Maha Al Rusheidi, 27, was in line to speak to a representative of Abu Dhabi Media Company, the parent company of The National, where she was looking for job opportunities in IT.

Maha already has a job, but wanted to attend the career fair to see what other companies had to offer.

Mohammed Al Qubaisi, director of human resources at Adnoc, said it was important to help Emiratis get on the career ladder.

“We want to engage our young UAE nationals seeking job opportunities. We want them to know the market requirement – what kind of majors or specialities that they need. Adnoc plays a big part in Emiratisation.”

The oil and gas company, which has about 20,000 Emiratis on its staff, wants to ensure that 75 per cent of its workforce are UAE nationals by 2017.

Jamal Al Mulla, part of the management training programme at the National Bank of Fujairah where he worked for the past three years, said recent graduates should look for opportunities where there was career progression.

“I think the private sector is the best place to have a career path,” he said. “The private sector is much stronger in the way of working and giving you a career path.”

The Abu Dhabi investment company Mubadala attended the show with six of its asset companies looking for the best in local Emirati talent.

“We have 350 vacancies for UAE Nationals to offer at this trade show,” said Ahmad Al Marzouqi, senior vice president and head of talent acquisition. “We look for talent. We have a mandate towards Emiratisation. It is very important to us.”

About 50 per cent of Mubadala’s corporate staff are Emirati and the company appointed 165 UAE nationals last year.

More than 25 speakers are also addressing a two-day Emiratisation Summit in conjunction with the jobs fair, organised by Tawdheef, the Emirati careers and recruitment group.