Forum to encourage Emirati youth to experience the private sector

Emiratis currently occupy only 43,000 of the 2.2 million jobs in the private sector, while the public sector employs 495,000 Emiratis.

Aligned with emiratisation, the government aims to spread the workforce more evenly across all sectors instead of an over-filled public sector.

"The decision to move into the private sector for Emiratis has been marred by stereotypes and doubt, perceptions that will be addressed head on at this year's Emirati Youth Forum," said Mawya AlQaissieh, a 27-year-old Emirati who left the public sector to join the private sector two years ago.

Al Qaissieh,a corporate communications manager at Reem Investments, will share her story of why she left the public sector to pursue a job in the private sector at this year's Forum on January 28 at the Rocco Forte Hotelin Abu Dhabi.

"My advice to the Emirati youth is to identify their career goals before they decide to join the public sector or the private sector. Their decisions should not be based on stereotypes," Al Qaissieh added.

Emirati students from across the UAE will engage in debates and discussions with top private and public companies at the Forum. The Forum will focus on giving employers access to engage in dialogue with students, hearing their aspirations and expectations of the workplace, while quelling any fears or doubts they may have about working for the private sector.
"For years we diligently worked on bringing business skills training to youth at partner schools in the emirates. We sought to link professionals with students and to bridge the gap between learning and the world of work," said Sulaf Saleh Al-Zu'bi CEO of Injaz UAE, the Forum's community partner and chair at this year's Emirati Youth Forum.

"The Forum reverses the conversation and offers the private sector a unique chance to hear the youth instead. It presents employers with the opportunity to listen to the students' future career outlooks and see what they aspire for and expect from the 'real world," she continued.

The Forum, which takes places on the sidelines of the 2nd Emiratisation Summit, will see Emirati students from across the Emirates, representing the Nation's top universities and academies.

There will also be inspirational keynotes from role models dispensing advice and sharing stories as well as interactive and informal networking settings to facilitate dialogue between the Emirati students and their future employers.

Sanjay Modi, managing director of the Forum's diamond sponsor, Monster Gulf for Middle East, India and South East Asia said they were eagerly awaiting the Forum to connect young Emiratis with successful companies.

"Monster Gulf helps employers and job seekers find better opportunities by connecting more efficiently and successfully through innovative technology solutions, tools and services. We are happy to be a part of the Emirati Youth Forum and the 2ndEmiraitsationSumimtas we support government's agenda of Emiratisation. We will continue to render our support to initiatives that encourage participation of Emirati nationals in the private sector," he added.