Work your way up, Emiratis told

Local youth at the Emiratisation forum were told they should not expect to start at the top of the pyramid but find jobs at all levels of employment, and work through the ranks.

Prof William Scott-Jackson gives his views on how Emiratisation can give the UAE a successful future, saying Emiratis should be groomed to lead all sectors of the country. Ravindranath K / The NationaShow more

In order for Emiratisation to be successful, UAE nationals should work their way up the career ladder rather than be fast-tracked into a leading position, an expert said yesterday.

Speaking at the second day of the fifth annual Emiratisation forum, Jamal Khater, Emiratisation director at the Emirates Foundation, said: "We cannot continue to give the youth the expectations they should all be working at the top."

Mr Khater said he would rather see Emiratis at all levels of employment. “A more natural scenario then would be those capable of leading and excelling would rise to the top.”

He said there were no longer as many taboos on what jobs Emiratis could undertake.

“It is better for our society if we find citizens in every line of work and every position, not just sitting at the top of the pyramid.”

Mr Khater said an Emirati female looking for a job opportunity offered her services free of charge for three months at a government entity when there were no openings available.

“Even though it was an entry level job she worked hard and was eventually offered a position and has moved up the ranks since.”

Mr Khater said this was a good example of how a motivated UAE citizen could move up the ladder.

However, the Oxford professor, William Scott-Jackson, said: “Emiratis should be groomed to lead all sectors of the country.”

Prof Scott-Jackson, the director of research for the Arabian Society for Human Resource Management, said that development of Emirati leadership capabilities is key in employing more nationals and advancing the UAE.

“What we need is to create a demand for Emiratis and stop focusing on the supply.”

His researchers found that the UAE culture, society, and national identity gave the country an opportunity to be a global leader in motivating and employing its youth.

“UAE citizens possess inherent unique traits which gives them vast potential in becoming successful leaders.

“Some of these characteristics include a high level of patriotism resulting in them wanting to further their country. The UAE leaders and their family’s elders are also excellent role models,” he said.

“In most societies only 10 per cent of the population can be considered leaders, but with Emiratis being a minority in the country every one of them that can possibly be a leader needs to become one.”

Although some perceive leadership qualities as innate, Prof Scott-Jackson said it is an attribute which can be learned and taught as 70 per cent of the skills can be taught through experience.

“It’s not only the education system which should be responsible for this but government, family, and businesses need to play their parts.”

One of the greatest challenges facing not only the UAE but also the majority of countries is inspiring young men who have fallen behind women in education.

"Fifty-five per cent of Emirati young men do not attend higher education, so a major focus of Emiratisation employment should be how to tap into, and how to motivate, this valuable source of talent," he said.

Families used to play a bigger role in this than they do now, said Prof Scott-Jackson.

“Sons used to spend more time with their fathers who served as great role models, but now because of work hours fathers do not spend much time with their sons.”

He said that mothers shelter their sons too much where in the past boys were put at greater risk which aided in the development of leaders.

Schools have to step in to make up for the decline in leadership experiences within the family, he said.

“The current education system unfortunately does not cater to the development of young men. Boys need more activity, competition, male role models, and frequent encouragement.”

He said that leadership training alone was not sufficient in developing leaders.

“As businesses know all too well, holding leadership training sessions does not guarantee you leaders, but if you supplement the training with leadership experiences then you will see better results,” he said.