Careers UAE 2004 posts 23 per cent growth

Careers UAE, which will be held from April 6th to 8th in Halls 5 and 6 of the Dubai World Trade Centre, is the largest and most effective platform in the Middle East that brings together the cream of national talent and top-notch employers in the region.

"The increase in nett space - 3,190 square metres this year as opposed to 2,600 sq m last year, is a direct result of the growing realisation in all sectors of the industry in the importance of recruiting the cream of national talent to further their Emiratisation goals. There has also been a sustained growth of 4.32% in the numebr of participating exhibitors to 122 this year," said Asma Al Sharif, DWTC Project Executive.

"Careers UAE this year will present more effective ways for exhibiting companies to source, track and efficiently utilise the potential of young Emirati graduates and professionals. In addition, our ongoing cooperation with the UAE University, Higher Colleges of Technology, Zayed University and The National Human Resource Development & Employment Authority (Tanmia), will enable better channelisation of the flow of the best local talent graduating from the universities and higher institutions to the right slots in both the public and private sector," Ms. Al Sharif added.

The increase in importance being accorded to Emiratisation by the private sector can be deduced from the fact that nearly 50 per cent of the exhibitors at Careers UAE 2004 are drawn from this sector. This heightened interest can be attributed to the extremely effective tournout at last year's event where banks, multinationals, IT and media companies, semi-government and government institutions all spared no effort to take advantage of the increasing pool of highly trained, disciplined and dedicated Emiratis who were set to begin their professional careers.

More than 14,000 jobseekers and visitors attended last year's edition of Careers, a huge increase over the approximately 9,000 visitors to the one in 2002. Most participating companies reported collecting an average of 40-50 CVs in a day, a remarkable number by any standards.

This year's fair is expected to attract far greater numbers, what with the increased career-awareness among UAE nationals and the realisation among local employers of the critical need to tap the best talent available in a marketplace that is becoming increasingly competitive.

Over the years Careers UAE has evolved into a key forum where all parties concerned with employment, education and training can meet and interact more frequently and effectively than ever before.

The exhibition provides a favourable atmosphere for educational and training institutions and employers to discuss ways and means of matching up education and training outcomes to the actual needs of the labour market.

Careers UAE also provides a chance for employers seeking young national talent to share their company profiles, HR plans and to explore and present different training opportunities available in the market for potential job seekers.

Also on offer are a variety of workshops and presentations tailored to meet the needs of students, designed to assist them in employment search and career decision-making. Careers 2004 features a full program of workshops, presentations, discussion groups, industry panels and private interview rooms which will give exhibitors more opportunities to target their message to, and meet with, visiting students, graduates and national job seekers.