The Necessity to
Address Social and Cultural Obstacles Concerning Working in the Private Sector
An urgent response to
the requirements of development "Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mubarak Al Nahayan" Supporting Education Outcomes of the Information Economy
(report)
"The Ministry of
Higher Education and Scientific Research" directing students to the
applied specializations
Relevant specializations
in the labor market contribute to localize UAE employment
The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research is
preparing to receive admission applications to its institutions at the end of
this month at which time more than 37 thousand twelfth grade students will
complete exams in both divisions - scientific and literary on (24/06/2013).The Ministry is considered the leading force amongst its
like federal government ministries and agencies in implementing the coveted objective
and sustainable and comprehensive development, through a knowledge-based
economy and cadres of UAE nationals achieving the ambition and vision of the
UAE. The Ministry through various departments and under the guidance of Sheikh
Hamdan Bin Mubarak Al Nahayan has played a role in educating and familiarizing students
in areas and specialties in demand by the labor market and scientific programs unfolding
horizons for skill and capability development of Emirati students for the
graduation of UAE nationals in the future State. His Excellency portrayed this
aspiration by stating, "High on our list of priorities is supporting a
knowledge-based economy through learning outcomes as a urgent response required
to the phases of comprehensive development plans in the State, and continuing
to progress towards achieving the vision of our wise leadership for the benefit
of the country and its citizens in all fields of work”.
The Ministry embodies this through participation and
sponsorship of job fairs, seminars and symposia dealing with the issue of relevant
specializations for students, programs in universities, the need for computer
skills and languages, since academic qualification alone cannot raise levels of
performance. The Ministry encourages the "Advisory Councils" in
institutions of higher education to become proactive in this area as was its sponsorship
of the Exhibition of Western Universities 2013 with (38) participating
institutions of higher education in the State and attended by (1500) students. The
Exhibition aimed to instruct citizens and make them aware of the significance
of choosing specializations required for the region’s present and future economy
on the basis of the Western plan 2030.
The Ministry also calls upon all relevant parties to do
their part in guiding and supporting students in selecting appropriate academic
specializations at this stage in their lives arriving at a crossroads. Whether
they are parents, academic counselors, educators in academic institutions or
employers in different sectors, all are implicated. Although the selection of an appropriate
specialization is the most important step in the lives of these students, it is
only the first step in solving many problems and obstacles to access advanced
levels of comprehensive and sustainable development, and increase local
employment, unemployment reduction, with (30) thousand Emirati citizens entering
the labor market per year, in which the market average is (150) thousand job
opportunities.
The problem is not restricted to unemployment and low rates of
localization in certain sectors or limited jobs available in the labor market,
but there are many challenges in the rapid population growth and social and
cultural barriers that lead to low ratios of local employment in important
sectors. Change and reform of perceptions of working in certain fields and in
the private sector are essential, particularly since, there are several
initiatives giving the private sector advantages that are almost equivalent to those
in the public sector. Considering that local employment in the Federal
Government exceeds (94%), this rate is significantly low in general, in sectors
of health, education, media and applied sciences, and hitting a (5%) low in the
aviation sector. Even though this sector provides (250) thousand jobs and is
expected to provide the private sector with (350) thousand through 2020. The
UAE employment rate represents (0.5%) of the private sector employment of (4)
million.
24/06/2013