Record number of Emiratis employed in private sector under Nafis Initiative

The Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council (ETCC) announced that over 114,000 Emiratis are now employed in private companies across the UAE, including banks, with more than 81,000 of them hired since the launch of the Nafis programme three years ago.

Nafis, which began in September 2021, offers a range of financial support initiatives, such as salary support, pensions, child allowances, and unemployment benefits for Emiratis.

The programme also provides specialized training through talent development, apprenticeships, and career counseling.

The ETCC highlighted that the healthcare sector has attracted many Emiratis thanks to the apprenticeship programme introduced by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (Mohre), which allows citizens to work while studying.

Additionally, the creative industry is seeing more national talent due to a collaboration with the Ministry of Culture.

By the second quarter of 2024, Emiratis are working in 21,000 private companies across the UAE. Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Chairman of the Executive Committee of the ETCC, emphasized that the Nafis programme supports sustainable economic growth by leveraging the skills and talents of the Emirati workforce across various industries.

Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar stated that Nafis has significantly boosted Emiratisation efforts, achieving historic milestones in the number of Emiratis joining the private sector.

He also stressed Mohre’s commitment to enhancing policies that make the private sector more appealing to Emiratis and drive further growth.

Nafis serves as a platform to connect national talent with job opportunities, providing essential guidance for Emiratis to find suitable roles that match their skills and qualifications.