Gateway 2003 embarks on jobs roadshow

Gateway 2003, to be held from December 7-9, 2003, will provide more than 250 locals with real, full time employment. The nationwide roadshow aims to encourage the crème-de-la-crème of young Emiratis to take part in the recruitment event, which will give job seekers the best possible chance to leave this event with gainful employment.

Káren Storey, Managing Partner of x-Logic, the Dubai Knowledge Village-based management and training consultancy, said: 'Gateway 2003 is a new way for serious, talented and career-minded young Emiratis to ensure they get the job they desire. Delegates must register on-line and fill out career and ability assessment forms before being allowed to attend. This ensures exhibiting companies have already filtered out unsuitable candidates, so both job seekers and employers can experience a far more efficient recruitment process.'

The initiative has the backing of some heavyweight local organisations. It is sponsored by National Bank of Dubai, the Emiratisation Task Force for Tourism, the Government of Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, WAFI Group and Microsoft. As well as these organisations, more than 70 leading UAE private and public sector companies will attend and exhibit.

The event will also include a series of high-impact, short duration seminars and workshops, designed to improve the career prospects of job seekers, covering everything from personal presentation to e-mail etiquette.

The Roadshow has already visited the UAE University in Al Ain, where more than 2000 eager male and female students attended the event.

The promotional tour has also visited Dubai Men's College, and will visit the following establishments: American University in Dubai; Zayed University; Dubai Women's College, Sharjah University and Sharjah Men's College.

The first event to target real jobs on-site, and the first event to be held at Dubai's 'Knowledge Village', Gateway 2003 will bring together leading Emirates employers, including government, tourism, retail, IT, media, banking and oil and gas organisations, and hundreds of high-achieving young Emiratis keen to embark on a successful career.

'Gateway 2003 is an appreciation of two facts: one: that every employer in the UAE must embrace Emiratisation, and two: that the future economic success of the UAE will rely on knowledge and people. The new economy is one where human capital is the chief source of economic value, and one where education and training become lifelong endeavours. Gateway 2003 is a quantum leap towards meeting these challenges of the new economy.'

In order to take part, job seekers must log onto www.gateway2jobs.com, where they are invited to create an on-line profile - similar to a CV - and given access to leading edge personal assessment tools. These profiles are then matched, using cutting edge technology, to appropriate careers.

'Unlike ordinary career fairs, Gateway 2003 not only provides the opportunity for job seekers to gain better career and life skills but creates an exceptional environment where real jobs are offered on site,' said Storey.

Before the event, x-Logic, together with partner human resources and management consulting company, Profiles International, will assess all registered candidates using the on-line Profile XT assessment tool. Each candidate's competence profile will then be benchmarked against pre-set job patterns.

This will ensure maximum alignment between the candidate's competence and the job requirements, as well as improve job satisfaction and better meet organisational requirements.

Registered delegates pay a nominal fee, which provides them with a three-day pass to the event, including career advice, workshops, seminars, and access to the nation's leading employers, along with three personal profiles, and international career and development reports.

Without registering on-line in advance, job seekers may not attend the event, which ensures a high calibre of attendees.

'Most companies operating in the UAE have an Emiratisation target, and most Emirati students would rather stay in the UAE for their first step on the career ladder if possible. Simply put, this event means job seekers and employers can be appropriately paired with a minimum of fuss,' concluded Storey.