Sharjah: The UAE Armed Forces will have a big presence at this year’s National Career Exhibition following the introduction of mandatory compulsory service for young Emirati men, an official said. Banks will also have a huge presence to help employers increase their Emiratisation levels.
The event, now in its 16th year, will help UAE national graduates find jobs by providing them with an opportunity to meet recruiters from companies in the public and private sector.
Held under the patronage of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, the event will be held from February 19 to 21 at the Expo Centre, Sharjah.
During the exhibition, which is only open to Emiratis, the armed forces will have a big presence, Saif Mohammad Al Midfa, CEO of Expo Centre Sharjah, said, as more enquiries are expected.
“Though the armed forces has been taking part in the show for quite some time, this year it assumes greater significance in the wake of the Cabinet decision to introduce mandatory military service for all Emirati men.”
The UAE Armed Forces’ stalls at the show will represent the army, air force, air defence, navy and Presidential Guard.
Banks form the majority of recruiters with around 100 exhibitors.
“More importantly, the fair will help employers in the financial sector to increase their Emiratisation levels, which are set to increase tenfold over the next seven years, as mandated by the UAE National Agenda which was launched recently,” he added.
In line with their Emiratisation campaigns, most banks have announced plans to start in-house training programmes to train Emiratis while some employers have made changes to their workplace flexibility to attract more Emiratis. Even part-time work schemes are in place to attract the right talent.
“Most of the training programmes at these banks are conducted in coordination with the Emirates Institute for Banking and Financial Studies, which has been spearheading the Emiratisation drive by training Emiratis in order to equip them with the skills most sought after by employers,” said Jamal Al Jasmi, General Manager of the Emirates Institute for Banking and Financial Studies and co-organiser of the exhibition.
Apart from banks, the insurance sector, money exchanges, free zones and financial consultants will have stalls at the show. Government bodies, too, will have an impressive presence.
The exhibition will be open from 10am to 8pm on Wednesday and Thursday and 4pm to 8pm on Friday.
