Emirati youth welcome creation of more jobs

abu dhabi — Unemployed Emirati graduates have welcomed the government initiative for creating thousands of jobs for UAE nationals in the coming years.

While announcing the launch of the economic package of Dh50 billion to accelerate the pace of Abu Dhabi’s development and economic growth over the next few years on Tuesday, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, ordered the provision of at least 10,000 jobs for Emiratis in the private and public sectors over the next five years.

And among the many Emirati youngsters excited with the initiative is 25-year-old Mona Al Breaki, who graduated from the Zayed University-Abu Dhabi in 2016, but she hasn’t find a job yet.

“I am so happy with the news about Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed ordering for the creation of thousands of new jobs for Emiratis,” she said.

“This will be a good opportunity for us to find jobs. I had majored in multi-media designs at the university but I have spent two years now without getting employment.”

The unemployment rate among Emiratis stood at 14 per cent in 2013 and the authority has the goal to bring that figure down to less than one per cent by the year 2021, according to the recruitment firm, TASC Outsourcing. The UAE government aims to ensure that Emiratis will make up 5 per cent of private workforce in the country by 2020.

Al Breaki said she has done many interviews but she did not get a job because of the lack of experience in her profession.

“Employers asking for experience is such a big challenge for fresh graduates. You might have the energy, passion for the job and willing to learn, but left out because of luck of experience. This needs to change.”

Another Emirati, Hala Mohammed Al Mansouri, 26, also a graduate of the Zayed University with a Bachelors degree in psychology and human services said she has been looking for a job for the last three years.

“I have trust in our leaders and with Sheikh Mohamed’s order to create more jobs for us, I believe I will find one in the coming years,” she said.

“I graduated in 2015 and since then, I have been applying for jobs in government and private institutions, hospitals, but couldn’t get a positive response.”

Al Mansouri said besides being hindered by the lack of experience as a fresh graduate, she has realised that there no many opportunities in her field of psychology where she majored.

“I have now decided to work as a trainee at Mafraq Hospital with the human resources department until I find something to do,” she said.

This will be a good opportunity for us to find jobs. I had majored in multi-media designs at the university but I have spent two years now without getting employment.” Mona Al Breaki, 25-year-old

I have trust in our leaders and with Sheikh Mohammed’s order to create more jobs for us, I believe I will find one in the coming years.” Hala Mohammed Al Mansouri, 26-year-old