DUBAL attracts UAE Nationals during Careers UAE 2012

Dubai Aluminium (DUBAL), which owns and operates the world’s largest single-site primary aluminium smelters using pre-bake anode technology, was again received with acclaim at 12^th annual Careers Show Exhibition (Careers UAE), which took place at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition centre from 5 to 7 March 2012. Some 2000 people visited the company’s exhibition stand, many of whom submitted their resumés in the hopes of obtaining employment at the UAE’s industrial flagship. 

The event, held under the patronage of H H Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai), enables UAE Nationals in all fields of expertise to meet directly with recruiters and hiring managers — thus facilitating the fulfilment of the UAE’s Emiratization strategy. Since its inception, Careers UAE has evolved into one of the biggest and most sought-after forums for aspiring work-seekers to meet with prospective employers and obtain information regarding the various training and career options available. As such, it also provides an excellent platform for raising the corporate profile of companies, enabling them to attract the interest of high calibre candidates for recruitment. Over 100 employers, educational institutions and professional bodies participated in Careers UAE 2012.  

“Having participated annually since the inaugural event, this year marked the eleventh year that DUBAL has leveraged the opportunities presented by Careers UAE. Once again, the response was extremely positive, confirming DUBAL’s status as an employer of choice in the region and a leading recruiter of UAE Nationals,” said Mohammed Ali Al Owais (Manager: Organisation Development). “As in prior years, students were able to enter their information directly into our database, making it readily available for use in identifying potential talent to meet our organisational requirements in terms of age group, background, qualifications and skills. Live interviews were held with key candidates during the exhibition; and a team of our Recruitment Officers is busy segregating the job applications received during Careers UAE by discipline and qualification, so as to compare them with our company’s needs.” 

DUBAL’s participation in the annual Careers UAE forms part of the initiatives undertaken by the company’s National Programmes & Development department so as to increase the proportion of UAE Nationals in the organisation. Other activities include several training and career development programmes for UAE Nationals, including pre-employment courses in several disciplines, a work placement programme for tertiary students, a comprehensive graduate training programme, a scholarship scheme and a development pool that aids in career growth and succession planning. 

At the end of 2011, UAE Nationals accounted for 15 per cent of DUBAL’s total workforce of approximately 4,000 employees. Currently, the proportion of UAE National representation at senior management level is above 65 per cent. These statistics compare very favourably against Dubai’s average industry Emiratization level of 4 per cent.