Emiratisation Forum 2009 emphasises the role of the educational institutes in providing competitive Emirati qualifications

Among these was an emphasis on the role of educational institutions in the UAE in providing a competitive Emirati workforce to match local industry needs and launching a National Human Resource Strategy for the coming decade.

The forum recommended employing career advisers in UAE secondary schools and supplying them with information about the market needs of the workplace.

The forum's sessions also exposed the need for doing psychometric tests and capability evaluations for the students when choosing the subject they want to study at college or university. The forum further stressed the importance of equipping students with the practical experience required in the market place.

Participants of the Emiratisation forum 2009 requested that the government provide research into the needs of differing industry sectors in the next decade. The forum also highlighted that Emiratisation is a complex and multi-faceted socio-political activity. Thought and effort needs to be combined throughout all sectors to achieve this aim. A national human resource strategy should be launched forecasting the market needs in privet and public sectors.

"The conference heard that only around one percent of the private sector workforce was made up of Emiratis, and that addressing this issue was therefore a priority," said HE Ali Saeed Bin Harmal Al Dhaheri, Chairman of Abu Dhabi University.

"Aligning the strategic needs of the labour market, with the Government's strategic objectives, together with Emirati motivational inclination, needs to be the driving force behind education and training development, and sufficient resources should be allocated to this objective, Emiratis seeking jobs should have clear objectives for their future careers and should join companies that will enhance their experience," Bin Harmal added.

The forum advised Emirati' job seekers to develop their skills through training provided by educational and governmental institutes. The forum said that Emiratis should not only seek jobs offering good salaries but also those that provide new experiences and help them attain job satisfaction.

"Abu Dhabi University is committed to supporting programmes for the advancement and retention of UAE Nationals in the workplace'," conclude Bin Harmal.

The Emiratisation Forum 2009 held in Beach Rotana Hotel in Abu Dhabi on 27 and 28 April discussed, in the presence of human recourse experts and industry leaders, the development of Emiratisation policies, and employee calibre, managing quotas and retention rates, and how to maintain a motivated workforce.