The UAE Government’s Emiratisation plan has seen the booming real estate and construction sector experiencing increased participation from Emirati professionals, Macdonald & Company, a leading recruitment consultancy has said.

Providing a strategic link between employer and employees in the property industry, Macdonald & Company, said ithas seen greater demand for Emirati professionals within the real estate sector, and is currently working with leading developers to provide world-class professionals.

It has announced its plans to participate at Cityscape Dubai, where it will release its Middle East Real Estate Salary Survey 2008, in conjunction with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and Cityscape Market Intelligence Service (CMIS).

’Since the launch of the Emiratisation initiative, local Emirati professionals are now more concerned with career development offered within the private sectors,’ said William Buck, international director, Macdonald & Company.

’We have observed that a greater number of locals are looking to gain relevant qualifications, which is an indication of the country’s development towards becoming a more mature and capable resource.

’A prime example of this is Wafa Ali Al Hammadi, becoming the first national in the country’s history to be certified by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in April 2008.’

The company said it is working with leading UAE-based developers including Emaar, Majid Al Futtaim, Mubadala, and Nakheel, providing intelligent advice on staffing solutions and career development to both companies and budding Emirati professionals.

The results of the ’Middle East Real Estate Salary Survey’ for 2008 will provide developers and industry professionals with insights on the latest market trends.

The Salary Survey is being conducted in cooperation with the RICS and CMIS, Cityscape’s new online market intelligence service, which ensures thorough and accurate results and industry-wide participation in the survey.

’We seek to promote the recruitment of talented, qualified nationals within the real estate and construction sector, which is also part of our responsibility to support the development of UAE as a whole.

’We would be delighted to speak to any Emiratis looking for advice on a property career in the region. The real estate sector is a leader when it comes to Emiratisation.

’Companies such as Aldar and Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) have shown commitment to training their Emirati employees by linking up with the RICS in order to develop local talent. This can only help the process,’ said Buck.

Macdonald & Company is the only recruitment consultancy to be approved by the RICS, and maintains a database that encompasses over 180,000 people from across the globe.

Its in-depth understanding of client and candidate expectations has been fuelling its success in providing solutions across the region.

In the Middle East, the company works with leading players including CBRE, John Buck International, Gulf Finance House, IFA Hotels and Resorts, Davis Langdon, Asteco, Qatari Diar and Idama amongst others. - TradeArabia News Service