Jobs on offer as Career Show opens in Sharjah

The National Career Exhibition, which got under way at Expo Centre Sharjah on Wednesday (20th February), will give a major fillip to concerted efforts of the UAE leadership to provide better career opportunities to the national youth, according to government officials and industry representatives gathered at the opening ceremony of the show.

Reflecting the importance of the show in boosting the Emiratisation programme, the three-day National Career Exhibition was opened by His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.

The event is held under the patronage of Sheikh Sultan and will continue until February 22, 2013. Present at the opening ceremony included Humaid Al Qatami, Minister of Education, Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa, Chairman, Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, Director-General, Expo Centre Sharjah, among other government dignitaries and guests.

"The National Career Exhibition will give a shot in the arm for ‘Year of Emiratisation' initiative, which is aimed at offering ample opportunities for young Emiratis seeking to join the UAE labour force this year. Several other initiatives at government as well as individual company levels are being launched to employ more Emirati citizens. The show is the right platform for both the private and public sectors to spot the right talent they need," said Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa.

The unemployment rate among UAE nationals is estimated at above 10 per cent, prompting the government to consider adopting several measures, including adjusting working hours and days of the private sector to make them more appealing to Emiratis.

"The growing emphasis the government is placing on higher education and career-oriented training programmes for national youth are helping in equipping them to take up responsible positions in the both the private and public sectors. The National Career Exhibition will be offering them hundreds of job opportunities in the country's banking and financial institutions and other government departments," said Saif Mohammed Al Midfa.

Rising enrolments in UAE's higher education institutions also play a key role in preparing national youth to enter the workforce. In UAE's federal higher education institutions alone, about 14,570 students were offered places in the 2012-13 academic year, as against the previous year's 11,532, an increase of 26 per cent.

Employment opportunities are also set to surge across all sectors in the country, with the economy cruising at a steady pace and major construction and infrastructure projects being announced at frequent intervals. With oil prices remaining high, regional governments are also continuing with spending to boost economy.

"More and more financial brains will be in need to steer local and regional establishments through these multi-billion dollar projects' execution phase. Most banking and financial institutions are likely to expand their operations to make the most of these projects and this is set to generate more employment opportunities for national youth," said Saif Mohammed Al Midfa.

For the first time, the 15th National Career Exhibition is being organized alongside the ninth International Education Show, enabling national graduates to check out higher education opportunities at leading local and international colleges and universities. The education show is featuring more than 100 higher education institutions from all over the world. It is also hosting 65 top boarding schools, colleges, universities and other educational institutions from India as part of the Great India Education Fair.

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