Engineering company pledges to recruit 500 Emiratis into oil and gas sector

AlMansoori Specialised Engineering will train graduates in engineering, operations and health and safety roles

Omar Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, at the opening of the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution in Dubai in April 2019. Recruiters say technology roles are particularly in demand and can be an attractive sector for Emiratis. Satish Kumar / The National

Masdar Institute student Ahmed Al Harithi at work on his research project exploring the potential for local strains of algae to produce biofuel. According to official sources, the UAE is moving towards potentially creating up to 100,000 jobs in the renewable energy sector by 2030 with attractive salaries. Mike Malate / Masdar Institute

In banking and financial services, the starting salary ranges from Dh18,000 to Dh35,000 depending on the level of seniority. Paulo Vecina / The National

Healthcare, pharma and biotechnology also offer high salaries in the Emirates. Starting salaries are between Dh25,000 and Dh45,000. Antonie Robertson / The National

Fast moving consumer goods is another sector that can attract Emiratis.

A private sector engineering company has pledged to bring 500 Emiratis into the oil and gas sector as part of a long-term recruitment drive.

In line with the government’s Nafis programme, which was launched last month to attract more young Emiratis into the private sector, AlMansoori Specialised Engineering has vowed to increase its Emirati workforce.

As part of the pledge, it will train promising Emirati graduates to work within the company in areas such as engineering, operations and health and safety roles.

This process includes intensive theoretical and hands-on training to equip new employees with the skills needed to take them further in the oil and gas sector.

AlMansoori Specialised Engineering was one of the first private-sector Emirati companies to operate in oil and gas.

Established in Abu Dhabi in 1977, it currently has more than 3,800 employees, with a presence in 14 countries on two continents.

Ibrahim Al Alawi, AlMansoori’s deputy chief executive, said the company prides itself on its commitment to health, happiness, safety, quality and the environment. He said “such an environment would be an ideal place for fresh Emirati graduates to start their careers”.

Last month, the UAE government announced a new target to ensure that 10 per cent of private-sector workforces comprises UAE citizens within the next five years.

The vast majority of Emiratis work in the public sector, and the government wants to encourage 75,000 into private companies within this timescale.