20 April 2015
Jobseekers and students descend on fair looking for career and education opportunities

 

Al Ain - The seventh edition of the annual Al Ain Education & Career Fair (AECF), which opened today (20 April) at the Al Ain Convention Centre, was officially inaugurated by H.E Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Culture, Youth & Community Development.

A recent survey conducted by the organisers, and based on hundreds of respondents, revealed that not only is it moderately/very difficult to find work here in the UAE, over 40% were currently unemployed.

Recent findings stated that amongst UAE nationals, work engagement and motivation, especially for those under 25 years and between 25 & 34 years, is the lowest of all age-groups - a significant concern since the youngest talents aren't motivated at work to do their best.

One of the main factors driving this is the on-going gap between education and employment. This is due to the lack of work preparedness and critical life skills amongst the UAE's youth, such as dealing with setbacks (what's often known as resilience), persistence to achieve goals (or grit), having a positive mind-set and realistic expectations from the world of work.

Anna Dechert, Associate Director of Admissions at NYU Abu Dhabi, and exhibitor in the fair this year, says that with all the major projects happening in the U.A.E, students have a wealth of career opportunities when leaving university - "There are a lot of really interesting opportunities for Emirati students who are going into university right now and who are graduating right now. The UAE, and Abu Dhabi in particular, have some incredible projects that are happening at the moment. For example, we have a number of museums that are opening right across the street from us which are all set to open in the next few years."

"So for someone that is coming from Al Ain that wants to major in the arts, they would really be graduating at the perfect time, and I think that students don't always consider the opportunities that come with these developments." added Dechert.
 
The three-day event helps job seekers, fresh graduates and school leavers enhance their professional skills and look for career opportunities with companies including Berlitz Language Centre, Morgan International, Global Aerospace Logistics Air Navigation Centre, Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, SENAAT - General Holding Company and Mubadala - Strata. 

There is a need to support youth in increasing self-awareness, and to help them make better career decisions based on their strengths and skills. Addressing this need, a key feature at the Al Ain Education Career Fair is The Thriving Index - a leading edge psychometric assessment by The Talent Enterprise to help students, job seekers and employees identify their key strengths and work orientations. The Thriving Index assessments are the first and only indigenous tools developed for the region, and are founded on a very unique and powerful strengths-based approach to identify key aspects that help people be at their best. 

Khurram Saeed, Exhibition Director, AECF said: "We are aiming to get students and jobseekers more engaged when they arrive at the show. We have an increased offering of knowledge building and key strength indicator tests at this year's fair - tools that are widely praised to help people in finding what path is best suited for them."

"Al Ain is truly an untapped market for local talent, and the general consensus between exhibitors here is that they are all looking to capitalise on that." added Saeed.

Another new vertical for this year's edition of the fair comes from Laimoon.com, an online career and course information company based in the UAE, who is participating for the first time and will be on hand to provide attendee's guidance on what educational path is best for them from a number of career-boosting courses and training opportunities.

Bayt.com will be providing a career clinic to all visitors to the show, meaning they can meet with expert career counselors who will be available to advise on all matters related to CV structuring and career goals.

Sponsors for Al Ain Education & Career Fair 2015 include Platinum Sponsors ADVETI/IAT, Gold Sponsors Abu Dhabi National Oil Company and Etihad Airways, Silver Sponsors New York Institute of Technology and Al Khawarizmi International College and sponsor University of Jazeera. The fair is also supported by Education Partners UAE University and Higher Colleges of Technology.

-Ends-

About Al Ain Education & Career Fair
The Al Ain Education & Career Fair is the leading annual exhibition that focuses on higher education, training and career opportunities in Al Ain. Now in its 6th year, the fair continues to serve as the perfect platform for universities seeking students and companies interested in recruiting qualified Emiratis from Al Ain.

For more details visit www.alaincareerfair.com 

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© Press Release 2015