New research ahead of Tawdheef Recruitment Show reveals 45% of unemployed Emiratis have been job hunting for more than 12 months

The findings were part of a UAE National survey conducted by Informa Exhibitions, organisers of Tawdheef Recruitment Show, which opens on Januray 31st 2012 at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre and runs until 2 February.

The survey was conducted on 365 UAE Nationals between the ages of 18 to 40 (44% female, 56 male) as part of an ongoing study examining the work-life balance of UAE Nationals and other issues related to Emiratisation.

Of the 365 respondents, almost half (45%) were unemployed, while a third (33%) were employed in the public sector, and a further 22% in the private sector. Sixty five% of those employed said they were actively looking for a new job to improve their work and career opportunities.

Researchers also found a gender gap among Emiratisation employment rates; more than half (55%) of the female respondents were unemployed and actively seeking a job, while just 32% of male respondents were out of work.

The public sector still remains the most preferred workplace option for UAE Nationals; 90% of respondents indicated that they would prefer to work in Government organisations, though 30% also state they would consider private sector roles.

The most common reasons for a public sector preference were higher salaries, better working hours, more job security, and the perception that public sector organisations would treat them better than organisations in the private sector.

Comments made by respondents in the survey indicated many feel a patriotic duty to serve their country, though the majority agree that for experience and skills development, the private sector trumps, as succinctly stated by one respondent: "public for the salary, and private for the experience."

The most popular industry to work in after government and social services (71%) was oil & gas / energy sector (44%), while 25% of all respondents indicated that they were either looking for work or currently working in tourism and hospitality, event management and marketing communication roles.

When asked what the main challenges were for UAE National job seekers while looking for a job in the private sector, 58% of respondents said that they felt that salaries would be below expectations, with 49% commenting that they felt that there weren't enough jobs available for UAE Nationals in the private sector.

The good news for both unemployed and employed Emirati job seekers is that they will be presented with a powerful platform at Tawdheef, which will feature more than 100 government and private organisations offering more than 2,000 immediately vacant positions to increase the percentage Emiratis on their employee rosters.

The recruitment show spans almost every industry, including government, finance, healthcare, insurance, retail, tourism and hospitality, energy, industrial, media, recruitment, defense and security, IT, telecoms, transport and logistics.

Hayete Jemai Tawdheef exhibition director, said: "The UAE National survey was developed to gain a better understanding of the underlying themes of how Emiratis perceive public and private sector work environments, and the main challenges they face when looking for work in the private sector.

"It is part of an ongoing study to find out how we can help integrate Emiratis into the private sector and assist organisations with aligning their Emiratisation targets and objectives. As the UAE's leading recruitment event supporting Emiratisation, Tawdheef will continue to play a crucial role bringing together Emiratis and employers under one roof for years to come."

Presented by Abu Dhabi Tawteen Council, Tawdheef is now in its sixth edition, and only companies with immediately available positions for UAE Nationals will take part.

These include platinum sponsors the UAE Presidential Guard, Abu Dhabi Police, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank and National Bank of Abu Dhabi, gold sponsors Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, ADNOC and Etisalat, and silver sponsors Etihad Airways, the Telecoms Regulations Authority (TRA) Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), and Abu Dhabi National Insurance Company (ADNIC). Abu Dhabi Airports Company has signed up as registration sponsor.

The first two days of Tawdheef is reserved for Emirati job seekers only, with the final day open to all other nationalities. From 11am - 2pm on 1st February 2012 is for ladies only.