Largest-ever Careers UAE closes on high note

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A record number of 15,500 students, job-seekers and young professionals visited the sixth edition of the show.

Attracting large crowds from the outset, the exhibition which ran from April 23-25 was 32 percent larger in nett space than last year and attracted a record number of 150 exhibitors from across the spectrum of trade and industry.

'We are encouraged by the tremendous response to Careers UAE this year,' said Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General of Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), the organiser. 'This indicates that the increasing importance being paid to Emiratisation by companies from across all sectors of trade and industry is beginning to pay off. The quality of the response from young talented UAE nationals will go a long way in helping companies attain that goal,'

Al Marri added.

Exhibitors expressed satisfaction at both the quality of the response and the increasing interest from young nationals in meaningful career opportunities. Private sector exhibitors reported a marked increase in interest this year especially from graduating students. Sectors such as hospitality, travel and tourism, banks and the financial sector were all in great demand.

Overwhelmed with the response and calibre of applicants received during the exhibition, Ahmed Ali, Executive Director, HR & Organisation Effectiveness, Emaar Properties said: 'Career fairs like this offer an ideal platform for companies to reach UAE talent. Careers UAE allowed us to promote 'Afaq' - our professional development programme targeted at Nationals at all levels from graduates to executives while reaffirming our commitment to developing UAE talent.'

'Our participation in Careers UAE 2006 reflects our continuous efforts to invest in national cadres and upgrading their skills to keep pace with the rapid economic growth of UAE's economy,' said Abdul Aziz Al Sawaleh, Executive Vice President Human Resources, Etisalat.

'We have managed to maintain the image of being the employer of choice based on its reputation as a pioneer in providing top of the line telecom services and adopting a successful Emiratisation policy. Etisalat has not only attracted a big number of talented UAE citizens, it has also empowered them with a professional environment where they had access to a number of professional training programmes and opportunities to gain knowledge and experience in addition to other benefits. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the organiser for their efforts in making this event a success,' he added.

'Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) received 3500 job applications from nationals seeking to work for the Chamber during its participation in the UAE Career Fair 2006.' said Mrs. Sheikha Al Mansouri, Director of Human Resources Department, DCCI. 'The fair provides an ideal opportunity to attract nationals to support its departments with qualified and skilled manpower in the line of its Emiratisation strategy,' she added.

Ahmed Al Sirkal, Senior Vice President and Group Head of Human Resources, Dubai Islamic Bank was especially impressed with the seminars and workshops on the sidelines of Careers UAE. 'The exhibition this year has featured a series of seminars and workshops designed to facilitate increased employee-employer networking, turning the spotlight on topical issues and hurdles facing UAE Nationals in the employment market,' he said

First-time participants du were very pleased with the turnout. Fahad Al Hassawi, Executive Vice President, HR of du said, 'Our first participation in Careers UAE was successful by all standards. As you already know du is a purely Emirati company that puts its trust in local talent to reach its objective and live up to its mission. So we utilise our participation in this job fair to attract competent and driven UAE nationals to partake in the making of their own company.'

'DIB's participation in Careers UAE is part of the bank's quest to support Emiratisation policies and attract more UAE Nationals into the banking industry in general and the Islamic financing sector in specific. Within the UAE, we are rated as the Employer of Choice not only amongst UAE nationals, but also in the industry. We are proud to be the leading bank in Emiratisation with the highest ratio of 43%.

Visitors to the exhibition were not only satisfied with the variety of job opportunities on offer but also appreciated the sectorisation of the exhibition. The show was conveniently divided into nine zones featuring financial services, insurance, oil and gas, transportation and aviation, commerce and trade, training institutions, education, recruitment agencies and hospitality and tourism establishments.

Financial services formed the largest zone in Careers UAE 2006 with 23 represented at the exhibition, including HSBC, Standard Chartered, National Bank of Dubai and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank to name a few. The commerce and trade zone was the next biggest with 20 exhibitors, 14 of which were taking part for the first time.

The exhibition will also featured a students' quiz and HR forums which generated much student interest and addressed key issues facing HR professionals in today's rapidly changing economic scenario, such as the latest trends in the employment market and the impact Emiratisation will have on the future.

Careers UAE 2006 was sponsored by Dubal (platinum), Standard Chartered Bank and HSBC (gold) and DTCM (silver).