The UAE labor market continues to show steady growth in the second quarter

Rabea Ataya (center) says Emiratization encourages the employment of Emirati citizens in the private sector.

Sajjad Ahmad, Deputy business editor

Dubai: The UAE economy is growing rapidly and creating new job opportunities in various sectors for local and global talent.

Rabea Ataya, founder and CEO of Bayt.com, told Gulf Today: “The UAE labor market continues to show steady growth in the second quarter of 2024, building on the momentum of the first quarter and reflecting solid and consistent growth in employment opportunities.” .

He added: “Overall, this quarter is showing healthier momentum compared to the prior year’s second quarter, with expectations for continued growth.”

Regarding the main developments in the UAE’s labor market, Ataya explained: “The UAE’s labor market is dynamic, characterized by significant growth in real estate and a booming marketing sector, attractive to fresh graduates, domestic talent and female professionals.”

He added: “The Emiratization movement is transforming the market by encouraging the employment of Emirati nationals in the private sector. The majority of job opportunities are for management and entry-level positions, with an increasing focus on senior-level opportunities for UAE nationals. Employers are highly looking for sales positions that require professional skills, cultural understanding and bilingualism in Arabic and English.

Highlighting the major sectors that offer employment opportunities to fresh graduates, Ataya said: “Private sector companies, especially those involved in retail, trade and business consultancy, are eager to recruit new talent to innovate their businesses. Public sector opportunities are particularly strong in the oil and gas industry, where new graduates are prepared to support and sustain its key role in the economy.”

Discussing the job sectors that are most in demand, he explained: “There is currently high demand in the UAE job market for roles related to sales, marketing, technology, healthcare, construction and engineering. Companies are looking for skilled executives and sales managers to drive growth, while marketers, especially in digital marketing, are needed to increase brand engagement.

He added: “Technology sectors are looking for experts in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data analytics and software development. The healthcare sector needs more medical specialists to expand infrastructure and improve services. In construction and engineering, ongoing urban development projects are creating opportunities for civil engineers, project managers and architects as the UAE prepares for future events.”

On the rise of part-time jobs in the UAE, Rabea Ataya said: “This growth is being driven by several factors, including the desire for a better work-life balance, the growth of the gig economy and changes in workplace dynamics accelerated by Covid -19 pandemic. Sectors such as retail, hospitality and services are particularly seeing an increase in part-time job opportunities as companies adapt to changing demand and look to optimize operating costs. Additionally, part-time jobs are becoming more common in the technology sector, allowing professionals to work on design tasks or as freelancers.”

Explaining the perception of stagnation in digital roles in the private sector, he said: “The perception of stagnation in digital roles in the private sector may be due to several factors. First, rapid technological progress means that the demand for highly specialized skills is evolving faster than the supply. “Companies are often looking for candidates with cutting-edge skills that are not always readily available in the current job market.”

He added: “Furthermore, despite the large influx of fresh graduates and people entering the labor market, the specific requirements of digital jobs – such as expertise in artificial intelligence, machine learning and advanced data analytics – may not yet be met by existing educational frameworks at scale “

On Bayt.com’s role in improving the job market, he revealed: “In 2024, Bayt.com has significantly improved our technology to improve the job market in the UAE. We have used AI systems to analyze and analyze large amounts of data, including candidate CVs and digital profiles. Our machine learning models continually adapt to improve recruiting strategies and job matching.”

On Bayt.com’s growth in 2023 and expectations for the current year, Ataya concluded: “Bayt.com experienced significant growth in 2023, with over 2.5 million new professionals registered on our platform. We also welcomed almost 23,000 new companies looking to recruit through our services. Through these associations, we have successfully facilitated the employment of approximately 1.2 million job seekers by placing them in suitable positions across various industries. Looking at this year, we expect these numbers to increase further.”