Private sector in UAE missing out on valuable assets, says head of Emirates Foundation

Clare Woodcraft, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Foundation for Youth Development, said that the false stereotypes that private sector companies sometimes hold about Emiratis means they may miss out on benefitting from the unique attributes only UAE nationals can bring to their organisations.

"Private sector companies sometimes perceive Emirati workers to be less productive and enthusiastic than their expatriate counterparts and more demanding in terms of packages and working hours," said Woodcraft, a speaker at the Emiratisation Summit, taking place alongside the Tawdheef Recruitment Show from 29 to 31 January 2013 at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

Woodcraft added, "They may think of Emiratisation as a 'quota to be filled' or an added cost necessary to enable them to operate in the UAE. This attitude needs to change because Emiratisation for any company can be a very strategic business investment. By not using Emiratis to their full potential, employers are missing out on a valuable asset."

Woodcraft stated, "The Emirati youth is well-experienced, educated, talented, and keen to prove themselves. Most have great knowledge of the UAE and the region and its intricate social networks, with an inside knowledge of how governments work and how to get things done."

Added Woodcraft, "Ultimately, the private sector should think beyond quotas and just hiring Emiratis to make up numbers, and see Emiratisation as a chance to engage and retain top national talent. By participating constructively in the Emiratisation process, companies can help to build the nation and reap the social and financial benefits of a strong vibrant economy."

Looking to heed Woodcraft's comments will be the more than 100 private and public sector employers lining up at Tawdheef to offer thousands of job openings to UAE national graduates, as they get set to kick start their recruitment drives in 2013, the 'year of emiratisation.'

Hayete Jemai, Exhibition Director of Tawdheef, said, "Tawdheef is the UAE's most well known recruitment fair supporting emiratisation, with an exhibitor line-up covering sectors including finance, recruitment, oil and gas, retail, telecommunications, IT, media, transport and logistics, industrial and manufacturing, investment, defense and security, and health and insurance."

Jemai said, "So far more than 1,500 jobs have been listed on our website by participating companies, with thousands more to be finalised in the coming weeks. Fittingly, in the 'year of emiratisation', this edition of Tawdheef is set to be the most successful in the event's seven year history."

Organisations taking part this year include Titanium Sponsor, The Presidential Guard, Platinum Sponsors National Bank of Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Police, and the Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank; Gold Sponsors Du, ADNOC and Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority; Silver Sponsor Etihad Airways, and Registration Sponsor Abu Dhabi Airports Company.

Tawdheef is open from 10am-7pm daily, with the morning of 30 January from 10am - 1pm reserved for Emirati ladies only. Entrance is restricted to UAE national job seekers from 10am - 4pm, while all other nationalities can attend from 4pm onwards.