DUBAI // Like a growing number of Emiratis, Hind al Ali would like to gain job experience by working in a bank.
The 21-year-old Sharjah College student sought a leg up on the competition by attending the first day of a job fair yesterday. The ongoing National Career Exhibition at the Expo Centre in Sharjah is aimed at encouraging more Emiratis to work in banking and other industries.
"I would like to work at a company where I can develop and reach my potential," said Ms al Ali. "I believe there are so many opportunities that are opening up for us, and I am hopeful that I will find a job by the time I graduate."
More than 100 establishments, including banks, insurance companies, money exchanges and government agencies are taking part in the career fair, which continues todayand tomorrow.
Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed, Ruler of Sharjah, yesterday opened the 13th holding of the exhibition.
Reem al Rubae, a 21-year-old Emirati, was among those on the job hunt.
"I want to work at a bank to gain experience, because the salaries are good and you get to interact with customers," said Ms al Rubae. "I would like to work at a bank that can offer me the training that I need."
Efforts are being made to increase the number of Emiratis in various industries. Banks have outperformed other sectors.
The total number of Emiratis working in banks reached 12,851 out of 37,340 employees in 2009, an Emiratisation rate of 34.4 per cent, and a 3.3 per cent increase compared with 2008.
"The banking sector has been the best able to achieve its Emiratisation targets and we are hoping this will continue," said Feddah Lootah, the director general of Tanmia, the National Human Resource Development and Employment Authority. "Last year, we helped find a lot of jobs for Emiratis in this sector, and there are also many training programmes for UAE nationals in finance and banking."
Ahmad Humaid al Tayer, the chairman of Tanmia's board of trustees, said that statistics for last year showed that the percentage of Emiratis in the banking sector had increased by 1 per cent since 2009, reaching 35.4 per cent.
Mr al Tayer noted that national banks had also increased their Emiratisation, with 12 banks exceeding the rate of Emiratisation at 40 per cent.
However, Mr al Tayer said that some sectors were falling short.
"The rates of Emiratisation are still under target, as can be seen in the insurance sector, which has not exceeded 6.5 per cent for the past 15 years, and it is unreasonable that more than 40 exchange companies still do not have any UAE nationals, while a third of banks still show an Emiratisation rate of less than 20 per cent," he said. "Although we cannot deny that some have made great efforts and managed to raise the proportion of Emiratis to up to 50 per cent."
Secondary school students are also given an opportunity for a head start, by investigating the requirements of various institutions.
"We want to give the students an awareness of the jobs that are available in the market and what they need to do to qualify for a position when they graduate," said Adel Khairi Saeed, a teacher at Al Urooba Boys School in Sharjah. "We have been bringing the students here for the past 10 years and I find that they are responsive to the fair."
The secondary school student Khalifa Mohammad, 18, said he would like to gain some work experience.
"I would really like to get some training and to learn as much as I can, so the salary is the last thing that I would think about now," said Mr Mohammad. "I hope to have my own private business some day, and I would encourage all young people to make the most of the opportunities being offered to us."
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Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
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The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Who are the Sacklers?
The Sackler family is a transatlantic dynasty that owns Purdue Pharma, which manufactures and markets OxyContin, one of the drugs at the centre of America's opioids crisis. The family is well known for their generous philanthropy towards the world's top cultural institutions, including Guggenheim Museum, the National Portrait Gallery, Tate in Britain, Yale University and the Serpentine Gallery, to name a few. Two branches of the family control Purdue Pharma.
Isaac Sackler and Sophie Greenberg were Jewish immigrants who arrived in New York before the First World War. They had three sons. The first, Arthur, died before OxyContin was invented. The second, Mortimer, who died aged 93 in 2010, was a former chief executive of Purdue Pharma. The third, Raymond, died aged 97 in 2017 and was also a former chief executive of Purdue Pharma.
It was Arthur, a psychiatrist and pharmaceutical marketeer, who started the family business dynasty. He and his brothers bought a small company called Purdue Frederick; among their first products were laxatives and prescription earwax remover.
Arthur's branch of the family has not been involved in Purdue for many years and his daughter, Elizabeth, has spoken out against it, saying the company's role in America's drugs crisis is "morally abhorrent".
The lawsuits that were brought by the attorneys general of New York and Massachussetts named eight Sacklers. This includes Kathe, Mortimer, Richard, Jonathan and Ilene Sackler Lefcourt, who are all the children of either Mortimer or Raymond. Then there's Theresa Sackler, who is Mortimer senior's widow; Beverly, Raymond's widow; and David Sackler, Raymond's grandson.
Members of the Sackler family are rarely seen in public.
5 of the most-popular Airbnb locations in Dubai
Bobby Grudziecki, chief operating officer of Frank Porter, identifies the five most popular areas in Dubai for those looking to make the most out of their properties and the rates owners can secure:
• Dubai Marina
The Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence are popular locations, says Mr Grudziecki, due to their closeness to the beach, restaurants and hotels.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh482 to Dh739
Two bedroom: Dh627 to Dh960
Three bedroom: Dh721 to Dh1,104
• Downtown
Within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the famous fountains, this location combines business and leisure. “Sure it’s for tourists,” says Mr Grudziecki. “Though Downtown [still caters to business people] because it’s close to Dubai International Financial Centre."
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh497 to Dh772
Two bedroom: Dh646 to Dh1,003
Three bedroom: Dh743 to Dh1,154
• City Walk
The rising star of the Dubai property market, this area is lined with pristine sidewalks, boutiques and cafes and close to the new entertainment venue Coca Cola Arena. “Downtown and Marina are pretty much the same prices,” Mr Grudziecki says, “but City Walk is higher.”
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh524 to Dh809
Two bedroom: Dh682 to Dh1,052
Three bedroom: Dh784 to Dh1,210
• Jumeirah Lake Towers
Dubai Marina’s little brother JLT resides on the other side of Sheikh Zayed road but is still close enough to beachside outlets and attractions. The big selling point for Airbnb renters, however, is that “it’s cheaper than Dubai Marina”, Mr Grudziecki says.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh422 to Dh629
Two bedroom: Dh549 to Dh818
Three bedroom: Dh631 to Dh941
• Palm Jumeirah
Palm Jumeirah's proximity to luxury resorts is attractive, especially for big families, says Mr Grudziecki, as Airbnb renters can secure competitive rates on one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh503 to Dh770
Two bedroom: Dh654 to Dh1,002
Three bedroom: Dh752 to Dh1,152