Today's Edition
Mays Ibrahim (ABU DHABI)
The number of Emirati citizens employed in the private sector reached 131,000 by 2024, surpassing the 75,000 target set for 2026, according to the "Building on the Emiratisation success story" survey, released by PwC Middle East in collaboration with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE).
In a statement to Aletihad, Khaled bin Braik, Consulting Partner and Emiratisation Leader at PwC Middle East said: "Our Emiratisation survey indicates a significant shift in UAE nationals' career goals and their openness to private sector opportunities."
The survey revealed that two-thirds of Emirati job seekers now believe it is easier to find a job in the private sector than in the public sector.
This trend is especially prevalent among job seekers in Abu Dhabi, where 70% expressed confidence in securing private sector roles, compared to 59% in Dubai.
Female job seekers (66%) also showed higher optimism about finding opportunities in the private sector.
Among those already employed in the public sector, more than half (54%) expressed openness to transitioning to the private sector.
When it comes to working terms and conditions, three-quarters of Emirati job seekers and Emirati private sector respondents expressed a strong preference for jobs with flexible working hours and arrangements, up from 45% in 2023.
This trend is particularly evident among younger workers and women, who view work-life balance as a critical factor in their career decisions.
NAFIS: Key to the Transition
This success in exceeding Emiratisation targets is largely attributed to the NAFIS programme, which operates under the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council, chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE's Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court.
NAFIS aims to enhance the competitiveness of Emirati workers, with a mandate for an annual 2% increase in skilled Emirati jobs within the private sector to 10% overall by 2026.
Since its launch in 2021, the programme has effectively empowered Emirati talent with targeted financial and recruitment support, which survey respondents cited as the most helpful aspects of the initiative.
The survey also revealed that 72% of Emirati job seekers consider NAFIS to be the most effective platform when looking for a job.
Training and Entrepreneurial Opportunities
The survey also signalled a clear demand for personal development, greater skills relevance and career progression.
"74% of job seeker and private sector respondents strongly acknowledge the importance of skills development and training for employability, which has a bearing on both the positions they take on and how long they stay in them."
Notably, 75% of Emiratis in the private sector and 71% of job seekers expressed strong enthusiasm for developing entrepreneurial skills.
Maintaining the Momentum
Bin Braik estimates that this shift is likely to lead to more sustainable economic growth, increased innovation, and a stronger alignment with national development goals.
"Emiratis are increasingly recognising the private sector as a driver of employment, providing opportunities for career growth, workplace flexibility, and developing entrepreneurial skills. This transformative shift in labour market dynamics is expected to reshape the future balance between public and private sector workforce distribution, thus driving the long-term impact of these developments on the broader economy," he said.
Bin Braik suggested several measures and policies that could be prioritised to sustain the momentum of Emiratisation and ensure long-term engagement of Emirati talent in the private sector.
These include establishing youth-focused career programmes, partnering with educational institutions, creating innovation hubs for entrepreneurs, and supporting female leadership with family-friendly policies.
He also stressed the importance of flexible work arrangements, transition programmes for public sector employees, and skills development through sector-specific training and micro-credentials.
Moreover, promoting diversity on private sector boards, offering productivity incentives, and fostering a cultural shift towards private sector employment are crucial to maintaining momentum, he noted.
"While we've achieved remarkable progress in workforce integration, the focus now shifts to ensuring sustainable, long-term success. For lasting impact, private sector organisations must invest in developing robust talent pipelines that nurture and retain Emirati talent," said Bin Braik.
PwC Middle East supports the UAE's Emiratisation goals through its Watani programme, currently employing over 242 Emiratis across all service lines and industry verticals.
