Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI) has organized an awareness session on increasing Emiratization rates in the private sector.
The session was conducted in cooperation with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization, the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), and the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council.
A number of key topics were discussed during the session including an overview of the Nafis program and its benefits in encouraging young Emirati talents to join the private sector and how to increase the Emiratization rate in private sector establishments.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Helal Mohamed Al Hameli, Deputy Director-General for Advisory Centers and Councils at the Abu Dhabi Chamber, said that Emiratization is one of the UAE’s most important key performance indicators, noting that “the government has been adopting a comprehensive scientific approach to train its national cadres in diverse sectors to unleash their potentials and become the key driver of the economic development process in the UAE.”
Rashed Abdulkarim Al Blooshi Undersecretary ADDED
“As Abu Dhabi is focusing on knowledge and innovation-based economic sectors, we are attracting and incentivizing talents. Investing in our UAE’s human capital reflects the vision of our wise leadership to empower Emirati talent and equip them with the necessary knowledge and skills and, more importantly, to ensure that they embrace a lifelong-learning mentality, which is a future-proof approach to keep pace with ever-growing developments in all aspects of life. The Abu Dhabi Industrial strategy (ADIS), launched recently by H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed, Member of Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Office, is an example of our leadership’s vision in prioritizing the development of Emirati talent. It aims to create 13,600 knowledge-based, quality jobs with a focus on Emirati talent. Over past years, Abu Dhabi has nurtured a supportive business environment, unparalleled connectivity and infrastructure, and an entrepreneurial mindset to generate opportunities for all, enabling them to reach their full potential.”
Mr. Ghanam Butti Al Mazrouei, Secretary-General of the Emirati Talent Competitive Council gave an overview about the Nafis program, saying that it is a federal program aims at increasing the competitiveness of Emirati talents and enabling them to occupy 75,000 new jobs in the private sector over the next five years.
In his presentation, the Secretary-General pointed to the approach of the Emirati Talent Competitive Council in facilitating the recruitment of Emirati citizens in the private sector, noting that the Council has launched 11 initiatives including the Emirati Salary Support Scheme, Merit Program, Pension Program, Child Allowance Scheme, Talent Program, Apprentice Program, Recruitment Targets, National Healthcare Programs, Unemployment Benefits, Vocational Counselling Program, and Job Offers.
Mr. Al Mazrouei added that Nafis comes as part of the “Projects of the 50” and is aimed at Emiratis of 18 years old and over while aiming at creating new jobs for Emirati talents in the private sector.
For his part, Mr. Mohamed Hakeem, Director of Absher Department at the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization, stated that the resolutions taken by the UAE government include increasing the Emiratization rate to 2 percent annually in High-skilled jobs in companies that employ 50 workers or more starting from this year until achieving the 10 percent target by 2026.
Mr. Hakeem explained that “companies complying with the Emiratization plans will benefit from various incentives including joining the Emiratization Partners Club, discounts of up to 80% on the ministry’ s services in case of raising Emiratization at a rate of no less than 3 times the target, provided that the number of additional citizens is not less than 30 or cooperating with the UAE Nationals Competitiveness Council “Nafis” in recruiting and training Emiratis, with a number of no less than 500 Nationals each year.”
