UAE Private Sector Exceeds Emiratisation Targets as Demand for AI Talent Surges

Private-sector employers across the UAE are hiring Emiratis well beyond mandatory nationalisation requirements as competition intensifies for talent in artificial intelligence (AI), engineering, advanced technology, and industrial sectors.

Recruiters at the Industrialists Career Exhibition 2026 in Abu Dhabi said many companies have already surpassed government Emiratisation targets. Moreover, they continue to expand hiring as demand for skilled UAE nationals grows across emerging industries.

The trend highlights a significant shift in the labour market. Companies are no longer recruiting Emiratis solely to meet compliance requirements. Instead, they increasingly view local talent as a strategic asset that supports long-term business growth and innovation.

Energy and Technology Firms Lead Emiratisation Recruitment

Energy technology company SLB is among the organisations that have exceeded nationalisation requirements ahead of schedule.

Dany Rahal, Managing Director of SLB UAE, said the company had already surpassed the 10% Emiratisation threshold before it became mandatory.

“We were above the 10 per cent nationalisation target before the target was officialised,” Rahal said.

He added that the company plans to recruit more than 90 Emiratis this year. Additionally, it aims to fill around 50 positions through the exhibition.

The available roles span AI, digital technology, remote operations, health and safety, and energy-sector operations.

According to Rahal, AI and digital technologies are attracting strong interest from young Emiratis entering the workforce. As a result, technology-focused roles remain among the fastest-growing opportunities within the sector.

Engineering and Construction Firms Expand Hiring Plans

The demand for Emirati professionals extends beyond technology companies.

Construction and engineering firm CC7 is currently recruiting for approximately 20 positions in Abu Dhabi. These openings cover civil engineering, electrical engineering, logistics, supply chain management, and health and safety functions.

Recruiters noted that industry experience remains highly valuable. However, graduate development programmes continue to create pathways for fresh university graduates seeking private-sector careers.

Consequently, employers are balancing experienced hires with investments in early-career talent.

Young Emiratis Increasingly Choose Private-Sector Careers

Government officials say attitudes toward private-sector employment have evolved significantly in recent years.

Ibtisam Al Saadi, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for the Industrial Development Sector at the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, said more Emiratis are actively pursuing opportunities in private companies.

“Today you are finding people who are actually pushing to look for opportunities in the private sector because they understand that the opportunity to learn more is there,” she said.

This growing interest reflects broader changes in career expectations. Many young professionals now see private-sector roles as platforms for rapid learning, innovation, and international exposure.

Industrial Careers Offer Global Opportunities

Industry leaders also emphasised that modern manufacturing and engineering careers extend far beyond traditional factory environments.

Hamda Al Mahri, a Technical Sales Engineer at Tenaris, said many students underestimate the diversity of opportunities available within industrial sectors.

After studying industrial and systems engineering, Al Mahri gained experience through an internship at the Technology Innovation Institute before joining the global steel pipe manufacturer.

Her career later took her to Argentina, where she became the first Emirati employee sent by the company for specialised training at its engineering and technology facilities.

The experience provided exposure to advanced engineering practices, leading researchers, and cutting-edge industrial technologies.

Al Mahri said industrial careers can open doors to global projects, technical specialisation, and leadership opportunities across multiple disciplines.

“People think of factories when they hear the word industry,” she said. “But every factory has engineering teams, technology teams, business functions and many different opportunities.”

AI Skills Become a Key Hiring Requirement

Beyond engineering expertise, employers are increasingly prioritising adaptability and digital capabilities.

Zayed Al Ali, Founder of Zayed Chartered Accountants, said AI literacy is becoming a critical skill for new recruits.

He noted that the realities of the workplace often differ from academic learning. Therefore, organisations are looking for candidates who can quickly adapt to technological change and embrace automation.

Throughout the exhibition, recruiters consistently highlighted demand for professionals with AI knowledge, digital skills, and the ability to work alongside emerging technologies.

As industrial sectors become more technology-driven, these competencies are expected to play an even greater role in future hiring decisions.

UAE Industrial Growth Drives Competition for Talent

Officials said industrial careers now span a wide range of sectors, including manufacturing, energy, genomics, food safety, digital operations, advanced research, and technology development.

Consequently, the challenge for employers has shifted. Rather than focusing solely on Emiratisation compliance, many companies are now competing to attract and retain highly skilled Emirati professionals.

“We are willing to invest in Emirati talent,” Al Saadi said. “Companies are finding that talented Emiratis are very important and they are trying to retain them.”

The growing demand underscores the UAE’s broader ambition to build a knowledge-based economy powered by advanced technology, innovation, and a highly skilled national workforce.