ABU DHABI // Better career growth, diverse work environments and attractive salaries are encouraging more Emiratis to seek jobs in the private sector.
A survey of 275 Emirati job seekers, carried out by TASC Outsourcing, found 57 per cent showed an interest in working in the private sector, with 43 per cent looking at job opportunities in the public sector.
Most Emirati candidates believe the private sector provides better training support to improve skills as compared to the public sector, the survey found.
Mahesh Shahdadpuri, chief executive of TASC Outsourcing, said the results showed a significant change in the minds of Emirati jobseekers.
“Emiratis are now more open to working in private sectors. Millennial generation Emiratis are more geared towards career progression, gaining experience, learning opportunities and growth, which is faster in the private sector,” said Mr Shahdadpuri.
“The first preference of many companies in the UAE now is to hire Emiratis, partly due to government initiatives and partly to availability of growing talent resource within the region.
“So, understanding their expectations and preferences, the industry they prefer to work in and the salaries they expect to start out with, will help companies create better job opportunities and environment for them. Private sector firms could offer more internship opportunities to Emiratis, and showcase a probable growth path, to pull more Emiratis into the private sector,” he said.
The survey also found an increase in Emirati jobseekers that are interested in the fields of human resources, marketing and project management.
The majority of respondents said they would like to be placed in permanent positions and expect a salary of Dh10,000 to Dh20,000 a month.
mmannan@thenational.ae
