04 October 2015

The manufacturing sector was ranked as one of the least attractive for Emiratis.

The United Arab Emirates is investing heavily in its manufacturing and aerospace industries as part of efforts to diversify the economy, but the two sectors appear to be among the least attractive employment sectors for many Emiratis.

Oxford Strategic Consulting's 'Emirati Employment Report 2015', which surveyed 300 employed UAE nationals, showed that 40% found the aerospace sector the least attractive while 35% ranked manufacturing as their least favored industry. The tourism and hospitality sector was also cited among the least attractive.

The sectors Emiratis most wanted to work in were the public sector, defence and security, banking and finance, and oil and gas, according to the survey.



Source: Emirati Employment Report 2015: A national view of a national issue

"It is imperative that nationally strategic sectors are made attractive for Emirati candidates," Oxford Strategic Consulting said in its survey report.

The UAE economy minister said last year that the Gulf Arab state aims to increase the contribution of the manufacturing sector to gross domestic product to 25% by 2025 from 11% in 2014.

The value of manufacturing projects being carried out in the UAE stands at around USD 2 billion, or 25% of the total manufacturing projects in the Middle East and North Africa, according to a report issued by Emirates NBD in May.

"Manufacturing is posting the fastest growth of any sector (in Dubai), as small and medium-sized manufacturers leverage Dubai's patchwork of free zones and port facilities," the Economist Intelligence Unit said in a report last year.

Abu Dhabi also has ambitions to become a global aerospace hub and hopes to attract small and medium enterprises into the industry.

Badr Al Olama, CEO of Strata Manufacturing, which provides parts for Boeing and Airbus, said in remarks published last year that the aerospace industry in Abu Dhabi had the potential to create 10,000 new jobs in the coming years.



Source: Emirati Employment Report 2015: A national view of a national issue 

ATTRACTING EMIRATI TALENT

The report said that while UAE nationals realize the importance of the private sector in creating job opportunities, they are often discouraged from pursuing jobs in that sector due to lower wages, less benefits and longer hours than those of the public sector.

Over half of respondents felt that organizations needed to offer higher salaries or generous benefit packages to attract Emiratis. Flexible working hours and international assignments were also strong motivating factors.

Males were more likely than females to mention low pay (46% versus 35%), while females were more likely than males to mention awareness of jobs and suitability of jobs as factors that make it difficult for respondents to find employment.

Emiratis also demonstrated a strong preference to work in administration, with 54% choosing it as their first choice. Engineering (18%), accountancy (18%) and banking and finance (13%) were also in demand.



Source: Emirati Employment Report 2015: A national view of a national issue

Zawya 2015