Emirati youth, industry leaders welcome talent schemes.
Programmes to address Emirati recruitment and retention challenges
This is a thoroughly thought-out initiative that tackles a number of challenges that were, in the past, related to the attractiveness of the private sector for Emiratis.”
Emirati talent and its enrichment is at the heart of the Nafis — the second set of 13 projects revealed yesterday under the wider ‘Projects of the 50’, which are being announced throughout September.
Following the milestone declaration at a press conference in Abu Dhabi, Emiratis are looking forward to the new opportunities that will soon become available to them.
Zayed Al Nuaimi, 26, a media professional, told Gulf News: “These are some fantastic initiatives. Who knows, I might start a new media enterprise on my own if I can benefit from the entrepreneurship schemes that were announced. The issues that are being addressed through Nafis, like challenges in private sector jobs, are legitimate concerns we harbour as young Emiratis.”
Nasser Al Baloushi, 24, an Emirati university graduate, said the schemes would help bring private sector positions on par with government jobs. “I am very happy to hear of them,” he said.
Focus on nursing manpower
Dr Humaid Al Shamsi, director of oncology in the UAE for VPS Healthcare, the parent company of Burjeel and Medeor Hospitals, said: “[Developing Emirati nursing skills] is indeed a much-needed move. As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, we have been able to clearly see the worldwide shortage of nurses in effect. This kind of a shortage can happen at any time, so we need to have our own nursing manpower in the UAE.”
Industry leaders also welcomed the massive programme geared towards Emirati human capital. Alain Bejjani, CEO at Majid Al Futtaim, said: “This is a thoroughly thought-out initiative that tackles a number of challenges that were, in the past, related to the attractiveness of the private sector
for Emiratis, as well as the ability of the private sector to welcome, support, train and develop Emiratis.”
Array of roles
Bejjani added that the company he heads has an array of roles for aspiring Emiratis to rise to, including positions in accounting, programming, coding, law, and technology.
Alya Al Yassi, Media Researcher, said, “Investing in the “people of the homeland” comes at the forefront of its strategies and plans, which aim to provide well-being and quality of life, develop their intellectual and scientific capabilities, and arm them with skills based on the knowledge economy, artificial intelligence and other concepts that support development and prosperity.”
Alain Bejjani | CEO at Majid Al Futtaim