Gateway 2003 - The future of emiratisation

Káren Storey, Managing Partner of X-Logic, the Knowledge Village based organiser of the event, said: 'The event has exceeded our expectations. We enjoyed a visit from His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone and we have had a phenomenal reaction from both exhibitors and delegates.'

The first event to be held at Dubai's Knowledge Village, Gateway 2003 attracted more than 1,000 Emirati job seekers and more than 50 companies from the banking, government, hospitality, and the consumer sectors.

Ahmed bin Thalith, HR Officer, ENOC said: 'The assessment idea is excellent as it gives candidates and companies a better understanding of their potential and what more needs to be added to their profile to meet organisational requirements.'

After initial candidate filtering at the show, bin Thalith said further interviews will take place at ENOC's Dubai headquarters, enabling swifter and more appropriate candidate selection.

Waleed.H.Mesaiqer, Emiratisation Manager, Union National Bank said: 'Gateway 2003 was very impressive as the only career event to include 'online application'. Union National Bank has located candidates willing to put in their best efforts and contribute to the company's goodwill. We have a 25% Emiratisation target and through Gateway, we will be close to achieving that target,' said Waleed.

Rima Zaarour, Qualifications Manager, Dubai Institute for Human Resource Development, said: 'Gateway 2003 has provided nationals with increased opportunities and helped them identify their strengths and weaknesses, enabling them to further broaden their skills and abilities by giving more focus to areas that need improvement.'

As a result of Gateway, UAE-wide employers have set aside jobs for nationals which vary from customer service representatives to managerial positions.

C.K.Ravish, Manager, Human Resource Development, Easa Saleh Al Gurg, said the company takes emiratisation seriously.

'As of now, we have a negligible amount of nationals working with us but hopefully by January 2004, we will be able to engage nationals in sales and marketing as well as front line customer service activities,' said Ravish.

He said preliminary interviews have already been conducted and final rounds will be conducted at the company's offices.

'Gateway 2003 has clearly been a goal - oriented event for all involved. It has ensured there is a mutual fit between candidates and organisations, which in turn contributes to the overall development of the economy.

'We have learned a lot from Gateway 2003, both from the employers we worked with and the students who attended. We will be applying those lessons in Gateway 2004 and we look forward to helping the UAE's Human Resource achieve its potential,' concluded Storey.