United Arab Emirates: New Initiative for Emirati Students Seeking Employment in the Private Sector

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (MOHRE) introduced an initiative for Emirati students enrolled in a study program approved by the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council (Nafis) who are seeking employment in the private sector. The initiative, which aims to improve the skills and capabilities of Emirati students, allows the students to receive paid on-the-job training with the employer and, upon graduation from their study program, guarantees full-time employment with that employer. Employers will also benefit from the initiative as the students will be included in the employer’s Emiratization calculation. To participate in the initiative, both parties must sign an “Emirati Student Employment Contract” on a specific template provided by the MOHRE. Furthermore, the employer must ensure that the student is offered training in the same specialization mentioned in the terms of the contract and must obtain a work permit for the student. The student must register with the relevant pension authority in the United Arab Emirates and receive a minimum monthly salary of AED 4,000, which must be paid through the Wages Protection System. Upon graduation, the employer must hire the Emirati national under specific conditions. While the new regulation stipulates that the students must be registered with the pension authority, it is not clear how this obligation would apply to those below the age of 18, which is the minimum age to qualify for registration. Furthermore, per the current Emiratization regulations, only individuals registered with the pension authority may be counted in the employer’s Emiratization calculation. This initiative is part of the UAE authorities’ plan to actively promote training and provide upskilling programs for Emirati nationals to prepare them for employment in the private sector.