According to a new report entitled “Going Global Employment Outlook: United Arab Emirates,” by Mary Anne Thompson, founder and president of Going Global, the Middle East is on its way to become once again the newest hotspot for jobs.
According to the collected data, despite the continuing civil unrest in the Middle East, UAE with no corporate or income taxes and a low import duty of 5 percent, remains a favorite location for multinational companies and expats. As economic recovery from the global financial crisis gains strength and stability returns to the economy, business confidence is slowly improving, accelerating the economic activity and employment.
Salaries in the Middle East have always been very competitive by Western standards, and moreover, they are tax free. GulfTalent predicts UAE salaries will increase further 6.3 percent this year.
Traditionally, job seekers have thought that only oil-related positions present growth here, but that assumption is not necessarily accurate, as diverse opportunities are present within various industries.
Oil and gas production remain the backbone of UAE’s economy, while the non-oil sector of the economy expands rapidly. Major growth areas include hospitality and tourism; media and e-comerce; aircraft and parts, security and safety equipment; IT equipment and services; medical equipment, services and supplies; architecture, construction and engineering services; building materials. UAE’s increasing demand for water and electricity also projects opportunity for growth for water and power projects .
According to a survey by the international recruitment company Antal, nearly 60 percent of businesses in UAE are currently looking to hire at managerial and professional levels, up from 46 percent in the first quarter of the year. Sixty-eight percent of companies also expect to hire staff for various middle and senior-level positions in the near future.
Meanwhile, the country have an estimated 12 percent unemployment rate, that is believed to be even higher among the young generation. Large number of Emirati university graduates fare flooding the market, but many of them do not possess skills and training, something that the UAE and the rest of the Middle East struggle with.
A recent Middle East Job Index Survey conducted by Bayt.com and YouGov Siraj found those with a degree in business or engineering-related fields have an edge over other job seekers in the region. Twenty-seven percent of employers in the UAE are looking to fill positions with graduates and postgraduates in business management, and 26 percent would like to see engineering graduates and postgraduates join their organization. The survey found that commerce degree holders are also in demand, with 22 percent of companies seeking them to fill positions.
The job index indicates that graduates with certain degrees and Arabic-English speaking skills are in high demand, bu with English the most common language, non-Arab job seekers also have strong chances. Industry experts believe getting the right person for the job is crucial and employers always look beyond formal qualifications when recruiting a new member of the team. Experience and professional achievements count for a lot when seeking the right employee.
