By dubailife 
Private-sector companies have been urged to develop long-term strategies to attract and retain top local talent, rather than merely aiming to “fulfill a quota” to meet Emiratisation targets.
A leading recruiter emphasized the importance of establishing clear career paths for Emiratis to successfully integrate them into a sector predominantly occupied by expatriate staff.
In recent years, the UAE has intensified efforts to encourage more Emiratis to join the private sector, a key driver of the nation’s economic growth.
The Nafis program, launched in September 2021, aims to ensure that 10 percent of all skilled jobs in private companies are filled by Emiratis by the end of 2026.
Companies with 50 or more employees were required to have 5 percent of skilled roles occupied by Emiratis by June 30, with fines imposed from July 1 on those failing to comply.
“To truly embrace Emiratisation, we encourage private employers to adopt a strategic approach that goes beyond meeting deadlines and regulations,” said Christopher Cornwall, chief executive and managing partner of Dubai-based Mark Williams Recruitment Agency, which specializes in Emiratisation.
“The focus should ideally be on strategies to develop and retain talent, rather than just hiring to meet a quota.
“Incorporating clear career paths, mentorship programs, and fostering a culture that embraces Emirati values are essential to facilitate successful Emiratisation programs.”
### Planning for the Future
Cornwall noted that private-sector companies are now hiring citizens in senior positions to mentor fellow Emiratis starting in entry-level roles, a strategy that has proven successful.
He highlighted that Emiratis, who have traditionally preferred public-sector jobs, have demonstrated their ability to excel when given opportunities in private companies.
“From our experience, we have seen Emirati employees thrive across corporate head office functions such as HR, marketing, technology, finance, and operations,” he said.
“Over the past few years, we have also witnessed the development of Emirati talent in technical areas like data science, machine learning, investments, engineering, and sustainability.
“It is important for the private sector to recognize the job families where UAE national talent has excelled and can drive organizational growth.”
### Overcoming Challenges
Alia Al Nuaimi, a human resources coordinator at Dubai Refreshment, a bottling and distribution company for Pepsi, acknowledged that larger companies may face challenges in achieving Emiratisation targets.
“Being an Emiratisation specialist responsible for all processes from start to finish is not easy. Reaching the target is even more challenging, with several factors hindering progress,” said Ms. Al Nuaimi.
She pointed out that high staff turnover can be an obstacle to meeting Emiratisation goals, which will increase by 1 percent every six months until the end of 2026.
Dalia Benhida, an HR and Emiratisation manager at Jumeirah English Speaking School, a private school in Dubai, stressed the importance of having more Emiratis in education to help instill local values.
“We are seeing more qualified Emiratis entering the private sector, thanks to numerous government initiatives, including access to higher-quality educational programs, training, internships, and language development,” she said.
“Having Emiratis involved in education and the delivery of the curriculum allows children to directly engage with and immerse themselves in the local culture.”
Public-sector roles have traditionally offered higher salaries than those in the private sector, prompting the government to introduce incentives to encourage more Emiratis to make the switch.
As of November 2022, Emiratis working in the private sector are eligible for a monthly salary top-up of Dh7,000 ($1,905), according to new rules announced by government leaders.
In May, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, announced that the number of Emiratis employed in the private sector had exceeded 100,000 for the first time.
Emirati jobseekers have expressed their willingness to explore opportunities in both sectors, prioritizing career development.
Source : thenationalnews