The Majid Al Futtaim Group, (MAF), actively looked for talented Emirati graduates of US universities at the UAE National Student Gathering in Washington DC on November 29.

While the company is interested in accomplished graduates from all backgrounds, it is making a concerted effort to find and meet UAE nationals who are graduating from US universities as part of the company’s wider Emiratisation program.

The program, which began in 1999 to proactively employ UAE citizens in the public and private sectors to reduce the Emirates dependence on foreign workers, has seen the employment of UAE nationals in the Group increase significantly since its inception. Over the next two years, Majid Al Futtaim Group plans to raise this figure by a further 25 per cent.

“This is the first time we’ve come to the UAE National Student Gathering and we are looking forward to meeting a good number of talented young Emiratis to occupy many of the vacancies created by the remarkable growth of our company in the Middle East region,' stated Mohammed Malek, VP Group HR, MAF Group.

The Group has become a model for ‘destination’ development in the Arab world and its Emiratisation program, overseen by the organisation’s Emiratisation Committee, leads, encourages and ensures that UAE nationals are given significant career opportunities in the Group. Its clearly defined plan puts emphasis on finding quality national talent, providing effective training programmes and a clear career development and progression plan.

“Previously, many UAE nationals would opt for jobs in either the government or banking sectors, but now, we are witnessing a high number of Emirati men and women choosing to enter the private sector,” he added.

“Our presence here in Washington reiterates our commitment to recruit the UAE’s most talent graduates, where ever they may be, to our rapidly growing businesses, be it shopping malls, leisure, entertainment, fashion or retail,” said Malek.-TradeArabia News Service