In the past few years, many young Emiratis just starting their careers have chosen to pursue government jobs as they are perceived as offering citizens a secure future, from a relatively high starting salary to a comfortable retirement.
However, there have been recent indications that the situation may be starting to change. As The National reported yesterday, a recent study by recruitment specialists Aon Hewitt found that 60 per cent of Emiratis working in private businesses feel a higher level of engagement with their work, which is true for only 34 per cent in the public sector. This is exactly the kind of fact about the private sector that Emiratis ought to heed when making career choices.
The finding should be a reminder that starting salary is not – and should not be – every Emirati’s priority. The private sector offers benefits, including the chance to learn skills from professional interaction with people from a range of nationalities, and get opportunities to travel and gain experience abroad. Emiratis can also have a better opportunity for career development and promotion if they gain these needed skills and knowledge.
Further benefits will come as more Emiratis take on private-sector jobs. As the number of Emirati co-workers increases, the cultural-comfort level in these workplaces will increase, making further recruiting of Emiratis easier and shaping the culture of the private sector.
For these reasons, it is an urgent national priority that news of these benefits of going into business should be spread far and wide among citizens, because every single Emirati who can take a leadership role will be needed as our society develops. William Scott-Jackson, chairman of the human-resources firm Oxford Strategic Consultancy, noted in an October speech that “if all leadership posts in government and the private sector were to go to Emiratis, it would take up 64 per cent of the national population”. His comments applied to the private and public sectors alike, but the pressing need is in business.
News such as the findings of the Aon Hewitt study need to be conveyed to students as they begin the process of making career decisions. Students coming to the end of secondary school, and making choices about their fields of university study or technical training should be given this kind of information.