Sharjah Career Show set to present job opportunities to national youth

Sectors that are expected to see strong hiring this year are banks, oil & gas, and petrochemicals as well as construction and real estate, according to leading recruitment advisors.

A survey conducted by a leading jobs website says that the banking and finance sector is expected to hire the most, followed by oil & gas, petrochemicals and telecommunications.

The extent of this expected rise in hiring activity is set to be visible soon when a premier event that offers career opportunities in the banking and financial sector for national graduates gets under way in Sharjah.

The highlights of the exhibition were announced at a press conference held at Expo Centre Sharjah on February 17. It was addressed by Mr. Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, Director-General of Expo Centre Sharjah, and Jamal Al Jasmi, General Manager of the Emirates Institute for Banking and Financial Studies, co-organizer of the exhibition.

The National Career Exhibition, which is held under the patronage of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, Member of the UAE Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, will be held at Expo Centre Sharjah from February 20 to 22, 2013, showcasing employment and training opportunities at more than 100 leading financial institutions in the country.

"Multi-billion dollar projects announced in the country are sure to generate plenty of employment opportunities for quite sometime to come. We foresee strong hiring this year, with the banking and finance and allied sectors offering attractive career avenues to talented Emirati youth," said Mr. Al Midfa.

Some of the big-ticket projects announced include the Mohammed Bin Rashid City, the $2.7bn entertainment complex in Jebel Ali, a $1bn replica of the Taj Mahal, a canal connecting Dubai's business district to the sea, and Adnoc's projects worth billions of dollars.

Besides, a growing number of economic indicators are also pointing to a robust economic growth in the country. The UAE economy is estimated to have grown by around four per cent in 2012, at a pace higher than the rate forecast by the International Monetary Fund, which is likely to be sustained in 2013 too.

The UAE has fared well in the recent Global Competitiveness Report and GCC Economic Report, indicating that the country remains an attractive destination for foreign companies and investors.

"These indicators suggest a significant rise in job opportunities. The National Career Exhibition will be a stepping stone from college and university education to a new world of employment, training and summer placements in the banking and financial industry, which is keen to train, recruit and retain qualified national youth," added Mr. Midfa.

In a first, the National Career Exhibition, which is held under the patronage of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, Member of the UAE Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, will be organized alongside the International Education Show, enabling visiting national graduates to check out higher education opportunities at leading local and international colleges and universities.

Apart from the impressive participation of government organizations, the UAE Air Force, Air Defence and Navy will take part in the show. Money exchanges, free zones, insurance companies and financial consultants will also participate. Additional activities at the show will include workshops, symposia, counselling and discussion sessions.

The National Career Exhibition will be organised by Expo Centre Sharjah in association with the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Emirates Institute for the Banking and Financial Studies. It is supported by Sharjah Islamic Bank, National Bank of Abu Dhabi and Commercial Bank of Dubai and will be held from February 20 to 22, 2013 at Expo Centre Sharjah. The show timings are from 10am to 8pm on 20th & 21st February and 4pm to 8pm only on Friday, 22nd February. The admission is restricted to UAE Nationals only.