Up to 34 per cent of MENA professionals are considering an industry shift mostly into the oil, gas and petrochemicals industry (14 per cent), said a report.

However, 35 per cent of respondents are content in the industries they are currently employed in, added the recent survey conducted by Bayt.com, the Middle East’s number on job site, and YouGov, a research and consulting organisation.

Of the top five industries that employees are considering moving into (oil, gas and petrochemicals; banking and finance; IT; human resources; manufacturing), the top motivational factor is money. Across each of these five sectors, the second reason cited is career growth opportunities followed by better job security.

Regionally, the preference for employment opportunities tends to lean towards the oil, gas and petrochemicals industry, with 20 per cent of survey respondents saying it is the best industry to work in, in their country of residence. The reasons for this are better career growth (25 per cent), better job security (22 per cent), and better remuneration packages (19 per cent).

Second most popular is the government/civil service sector, with 11 per cent of respondents citing preference, predominantly for better job security (62 per cent), followed by the fact that this sector was least impacted by the recession (10 per cent), and the better work-life balance offered (9 per cent).

Banking and finance comes in as third most desirable, opted for by 10 per cent of respondents. The reasons cited were better career growth (30 per cent), better job security (20 per cent) and better remuneration packages (18 per cent).

“Oil, gas and petrochemicals is an industry that has long been associated with this region, and it is still clearly a favoured sector to work in with the majority of those looking to change careers preferring it. The trend is that employees today are looking for better salaries, job security and sectors that are less likely to collapse in a downturn, a clear sign that the recession is still affecting opinions,” said Amer Zureikat, VP Sales at Bayt.com.

“Bayt.com is an ideal resource for employees who wish to explore further career options, with thousands of jobs covering all sectors readily available through the convenience of an online portal.”

Respondents in the UAE see the oil, gas and petrochemicals industry as having the best salary packages (52 per cent) and non-monetary benefits (38 per cent). Following close on the heels in terms of perceived best salaries is banking and finance (22 per cent), with government and civil service ranking third (20 per cent). As for benefits, the oil, gas and petrochemicals industry is followed by airlines with 24 per cent, and government and civil service with 23 per cent.

In terms of work-life balance, oil, gas and petrochemicals continues to dominate with 29 per cent saying it is the best industry in the UAE to offer this equation, government and civil service ranked second with 28 per cent, followed by banking and finance with 20 per cent.

When it comes to the industry offering the best career growth in the UAE, 38 per cent said oil, gas and petrochemicals, 21 per cent banking and finance, and 15 per cent airlines.

Oil, gas and petrochemicals (29 per cent) also seems to be hiring most in the UAE, followed by construction (28 per cent) and banking and finance (17 per cent).

Oil, gas and petrochemicals tops again the list, this time as the industry retaining the best talent in the UAE (37 per cent) followed by airlines (20 per cent) and banking and finance (18 per cent).

As far as local talent is concerned, government/civil service ranks first with 24 per cent saying it is most favourable and popular with local talent. Banking and finance and oil, gas and petrochemicals followed both at 9 per cent.

Respondents in the UAE believe that construction (31 per cent) is the industry that has downsized most in recent years; real estate (10 per cent) and banking and finance (7 per cent) are also considered to have been hit hard.

Construction (14 per cent) is considered to be the most popular industry for expatriates in t he UAE. However, there is a paltry 2 per cent margin between the lead position and the industry that ranked second, which is oil, gas and petrochemicals, with 12 per cent. Banking and finance came in third most popular, with 10 per cent.

Government jobs are considered to be extremely favourable by 50 per cent of UAE-based respondents.

Industries considered to be the most favourable and popular for women in the UAE are education and academia (17 per cent), banking and finance (15 per cent) and healthcare and medical services (9 per cent). As for fresh graduates, banking and finance is most popular (17 per cent), followed by IT (11 per cent) and government and civil service (10 per cent).

“While the oil, gas and petrochemical industry is clearly a leading choice for many, it appears that the region’s banking and finance sector is up-and-coming for employment opportunities. That it is the top favoured industry for new graduates shows that there is clearly a demand for more jobs within that particular sector,” said Sundip Chahal, CEO, YouGov. – TradeArabia News Service