Entrepreneurs find their own way through a difficult jobs market for Emiratis
▶ Inexperience and nepotism claims, but expert says persistence pays off
In a challenging and ever changing employment landscape, jobless Emiratis are finding fewer opportunities for work, while others are finding success through entrepreneurship.
A debate in the Federal National Council has revealed thousands of Emirati graduates are struggling to secure full-time jobs, with employers claiming many are overqualified or lack relevant skills.
Some claim to have been searching for work since 2005 and have become caught up in the Catch-22 of not having enough experience for required roles, and yet are unable to convince employers to take a chance and secure workplace experience.
As some fail to find work in traditional avenues, others are leading the way by showing an impressive entrepreneurial spirit that has helped to win royal approval in the UK.
The mobile application “Dwak” developed by UAE University students Yahya Iqelan and Mansour Al Kaabi sends out reminders for patients to take their medication.
The idea has won support from Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, who founded the Pitch at the Palace scheme offering new start-up businesses help in setting up on their own.
Developed by students at the university, the app has won the People’s Choice Award at Pitch at the Palace and the group has developed a valuable partnership with Al Ain Pharmacy group.
Although some may be struggling to find that dream job, the team behind Dwak (which is Arabic for “your medicine”) are proving that opportunities remain for those committed to trying something different, with grand ambitions to take their products into a global market.
Nepotism and a lack of experience are among the reasons for high unemployment, Emirati job seekers say.
On Tuesday, the FNC heard that thousands of Emirati graduates were unable to secure jobs, often being told they were over- or underqualified.
“So what was the point of studying?” asked Salem Al Shehhi, an FNC member from Ras Al Khaimah. “There are thousands of graduates. Where can they go?”
Emiratis said a few opportunities and poor salaries made it difficult to find employment.
“I experienced a situation where the employer recruited a lady, not for her qualifications but because she was a relative,” said Muna Al Hassani, 21, from Fujairah.
“We both applied for the same job and I’m considered more qualified than her. I finished high school in 2013 and for reasons I couldn’t continue my studies straight away, so I started to look for a job and to build up my skills.
“I took computer and English -language courses, training courses for one of the telecoms companies, applied for almost every opportunity I could find and did about seven job interviews, but without any luck.”
Ms Al Hassani said that most of the vacant positions she found asked for a bachelor’s degree or previous experience, so she gave up her search and continued her studies.
“Now I’m studying to obtain a degree in business management and still looking for a part-time job,” she said. “The situation is frustrating and I hope that I will find a job after graduation.”
Fatima Mousa, 37, a mother of three from Hatta, said she had to leave her job in 2011 to stay with her sick child. “I resigned because I couldn’t fulfil my duties at work due to the health of my newborn baby boy, and since that day I’ve been jobless,” Ms Mousa said.
“After my son got better, I called my previous employer and asked them to take me back to work. He kept telling me to wait for a vacancy but then I found he recruited three of his relatives even though I was more qualified to fill the position.
“I filed many applications in private and public establishments in and out of Hatta. I have about 12 years of experience in customer services, data entry and as a secretary, but I don’t have a mediator to smooth the recruiting process as most companies require.
“I don’t mind getting Dh5,000 as a salary. We have many financial commitments and my husband’s salary is not enough so I need to work.”
Talal Al Hammadi, 31, from Khor Fakkan, said that he suffered from depression and felt helpless without a job.
“I have been looking for a job since 2005 after finishing high school, but they all asked for experience and I didn’t have any,” said Mr Al Hammadi, from Khor Fakkan.
“In 2014 I was diagnosed with depression and that weakened my chances of having a job.”
He took courses to improve his computer, language and communications skills.
“When I first started looking for a job I was offered low salaries with long working hours, but I refused, hoping to find a better opportunity and I’m still looking,” Mr Al Hammadi said.
Maryam Al Mismari, 26, said she had been looking for a job since 2014 after she graduated from the Higher Colleges of Technology in Fujairah.
“I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and am still looking for a job,” said Ms Al Mismari, mother of one. “At first I was looking for something that matches my qualifications and degree but no one called me for an interview.
“I started to apply for any position because I didn’t want to stay at home. I was looking to build a career path so I didn’t mind working as a receptionist or a secretary, but even those positions were hard to find.”
Over the past three years, she has been invited for only one interview but had no offer.
Omaira Al Olama, managing director at ALF Administration, which trains Emiratis in work skills and expertise, said she encouraged most of her students to start looking at fields in IT and journalism because there were few nationals working in these areas.
“It’s a mindset change,” Ms Al Olama said. “In the past families just wanted doctors, engineers, bankers or lawyers and looked at all other majors such as psychology, communication, art, computer graphics as not important.
“But we are in a digital and creative age and we need to adapt if we want to be in line with the rest of the world.”
She faced a problem finding employment when she returned to the UAE after she achieved her master’s degree.
“I couldn’t find a job because I was overqualified,” Ms Al Olama said. “But I had two choices: work in a lower-level job or complain and be jobless.”
She decided to follow something her late grandfather once told her: “If people don’t recognise your merits straight away, work and show them just how capable you are.”
“It’s this mindset that I teach,” Ms Al Olama said. “You have to start from scratch and not feel that it’s beneath you. You are broadening your horizons.”
Work training and skills adviser says first step into employment is often a change of mindset and expectations