Quality assurance, safety training and energy risk engineering are the top three skills in demand in the energy and resource sector, according to a study.

Quality assurance is more in demand for an entry level candidate, safety training on middle level, whereas energy risk engineering was in high demand at a senior level, said the Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) Workforce Planning Study done ahead of the World Future Energy Summit (WFES), opening in Abu Dhabi tomorrow.

The survey of over 2,400 students across 17 markets in MEA and Asia and a cross section of companies was held in conjunction with leading consultancy firm Deloitte. It is the region’s most comprehensive, independent study regarding workforce skills gaps that currently exist within emerging markets, said a statement.

Dr Ayoub Kazim, managing director of DIAC and Dubai Knowledge Village, said:   “With the high economic and population growth rates that the UAE has been witnessing, the UAE’s energy consumption increased tremendously over the past decades, recording one of the highest  - 10 times of average energy consumption rate per capita in the world, according to Energy Information Administration. In order to effectively address all the challenges facing in the energy sector, we should seriously look into recruiting the right human capital that will support and contribute to the industry.”

In line with the Government of UAE’s vision to transform the country into a knowledge-based economy, the UAE is making forays into driving the country’s economic growth in diverse sectors, which resulted in a huge demand for specialized programmes and niche courses. DIAC & DKV are playing a leading role by providing the right infrastructure needed for international universities and institutes to provide high quality education and training in this region, not only in regular disciplines but also in niche areas that are gaining increased importance, the statement said.

This includes the energy sector, as the UAE plans to invest over $100 billion in renewable and clean energy technology in the next five years.

The study also revealed manpower projections that estimate an increase in manpower by 7 per cent by 2015 in the UAE.

Key trends identified in the study include that the GCC markets are keen to encourage diversification away from dependence on oil and gas and invest in renewable sources of energy such as solar power. According to the Mena Renewables Status Report 2013, more than 100 renewable energy projects including solar, wind and biomass are currently under development in the region.  – TradeArabia News Service