Developing young Emirati talent will not be a burden for businesses, says official
Private sector employers will thrive while fulfilling a requirement to hire more Emiratis, an official said yesterday.
Businesses will be helped by the government in their efforts to support young citizens entering the workplace.
Ghannam Al Mazrouei, secretary general of the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council, said hiring Emiratis should not encumber a business.
“The government has subsidised a training programme for one year, so the private sector will not be burdened with these costs,” he said on Dubai Eye’s Business Breakfast radio show.
“We will ensure the young talent will be available and will have a direct hire contract with the employer.”
Under government plans, young Emiratis will be given a helping hand into new private sector businesses to support the “economic backbone” of
the UAE and create 15,000 new jobs a year.
A government recruitment drive that started in 2020 aims to ensure that 10 per cent of the private sector workforce is Emirati by 2026.
It is hoped a further 75,000 Emiratis will join the private sector under the Nafis programme. Businesses can post jobs and people can apply for positions at nafis.gov.ae.
“Our aim is to find representation for our young talent in the private sector, as it is the backbone of our economy,” Mr Al Mazrouei said.
“We are creating a partnership with companies, and listening to employers to understand the challenges so we can support them.”
Under a range of measures to secure Emiratis private sector jobs, university graduates will have their salaries topped up by Dh5,000 ($1,360) by the government as an incentive.
Child support payments will also be available, along with unemployment benefits, a national healthcare programme and vocational counselling.
“We have seen a positive move from the private sector to register for this platform, and we encourage them to continue to post vacancies,” Mr Al Mazrouei said.
“There are lots of opportunities for young people.”