Youths put skills ahead of money

Emirati youths entering the fob market prioritise skills over salaries of about 50 students In a live voting session, 30 per cent of participants said the opportunity for growth and promotion was the most important factor when considering a job offer; 20 per cent said learning new skills was the top factor; while 18 per cent said work environment and culture was the main factor. Only 10 per cent said they would consider salary first. A mere 2 per cent said working hours were the most important criterion. INJAZ UAE is an organization that aims to build bridges between schools and colleges and the private sector private companies can’t hire Emiratis because they can't give them the salaries and working hours they demand. Hopefully this will prove them wrong. Students believed working in the private sector would present more demands than working for the government. Asked whether working for the private sector would throw up challenges, 81 per cent said yes and 13 per cent said no. Responding to the same question about the government, 40 per cent said yes and 31 per cent said no. The main concern about working in the private sector was competition for promotion and recognition; in the government, it was dealing with routine. However Job fairs, career guidance and workshops with corporate guests are ways that universities can help create new perceptions about working in the private sector. To do its bit, the business world can offer internships and trainee programmes to young graduates. 30 per cent of the university students and fresh graduates polled place most importance on growth and promotion opportunities when selecting a job. Nearly 70 per cent of participants at the forum said that getting a job is their most immediate priority after graduation, over further education or entrepreneurship opportunities. When choosing between public and private sector positions, the deciding factors for Emirati youth tend to be growth and promotion opportunities, work environment and skill development.