More job benefits, new recruiting strategies: How UAE companies can attract, retain Emirati talent to achieve their goals – News

Deadline to achieve semi-annual emiratization target extended from June 30 to July 7

Private sector companies are stepping up their efforts to achieve Emiratization goals – increasingly in partnership with recruitment agencies and the UAE Council for Competitiveness for Talent (Nafis). Some also offer benefits and incentives to attract and retain UAE nationals.

The UAE government has set a target to integrate 75,000 Emiratis into the private sector over the next five years – with tech jobs in private sector organizations with more than 50 employees growing by 2% per year and overall growth falling by 10% by 2026.

Recently, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (Mohre) raised the target to 3% by July 1 and 4% by the end of 2023.

To support this move, the government has rolled out several programs and initiatives, including modernizing educational infrastructure, quotas to incentivize the private sector to hire home-grown talent, incentives and penalties, scholarship schemes, and building domestic value schemes, among others. Some.

Launched in 2021, Nafis aims to increase the competitiveness of Emiratis and provide them with employment opportunities in the private sector.

“Businesses have announced various plans to increase Emiratisation. For example, companies in the oil and gas sector have announced a strategic agreement with the UAE Talent Competitiveness Council to create thousands of jobs for private sector nationals by 2027.” PwC Khaled bin Braik, Head of Emiratization Project at Coopers Middle East, said.

“Improving the attractiveness of the private sector is a must to improve employee retention in the UAE. Large private companies are doing this through training and professional development programmes,” Blake added.

While efforts to lure Emiratis into private enterprise are proving increasingly effective, experts point out that perceived long-term prospects and overall work experience do not match the expectations of these workers.

“Unless companies do more to improve national talent retention through targeted investments, the recruitment program may not deliver sustained economic development or tangible long-term business benefits for the UAE. Sexual inadequacy is punished by the government,” he added.

Libbie Burtinshaw, director of operations at PRO Partner Group, says companies proactively work with Nafis or similar recruitment agencies to find suitable candidates for the required roles.

“Graduates and experienced employees are both viable options when recruiting in the UAE. Companies should consider which candidate is best suited for the positions they wish to fill new hires, and not necessarily limit their consideration based on these categories, ’ added Burtinshaw.

The PwC Academy said it has so far trained more than 6,000 Emiratis through projects aimed at upskilling the nation’s workforce.

Leading retailer Carrefour has recruited nearly 1,000 UAE staff since 2021 and plans to recruit 2,500 UAE staff by 2026.

In addition, the retail industry is partnering with the Abu Dhabi Global Markets (ADGM) Academy to drive a training program to upskill the more than 400 nationals working for the company in leadership roles.

Bernardo Perloiro, GCC Chief Operating Officer, Majid Al Futtaim Retail, said: “The partnership with ADGM Academy is the latest step in our ambitious Emiratisation strategy as we continue to actively contribute to the socio-economic development and prosperity of the UAE.”

Majid Al Futtaim was recently awarded Best Large Company and Best Emirati Talent in the Private Sector for Emiratisation Goals at the inaugural annual Nafis Awards.

Dr Thumbay Moideen, Founder and President of Thumbay Group said they have made remarkable progress in attracting young domestic talent to join.

“In healthcare, we have witnessed the rise of talented Emirati doctors and administrators, contributing to the advancement of our overall healthcare delivery. Similarly, in medical education, we have produced a generation of Emirati trainers and administrators, They shape the minds of our young people. By achieving and exceeding these goals, we pave the way for greater achievements, creating a future where Emiratis become a catalyst for excellence and opportunity,” said Dr Moideen.