The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has expanded its career counselling programme to support more than 60,000 Emirati jobseekers and private-sector employees, while helping over 3,000 employers strengthen their Emiratisation efforts.
The initiative reflects the UAE’s evolving approach to Emiratisation. Rather than focusing only on hiring targets, the programme now places greater emphasis on career development, employee retention and long-term workforce integration.
Career guidance aims to improve long-term employment outcomes
MoHRE said the programme helps Emiratis identify private-sector opportunities that match their qualifications, skills and career aspirations. At the same time, it supports existing employees with career planning, capability building and workplace integration.
Participants receive both individual and group counselling sessions. These cover job searching, interview preparation, career planning, competency development and adapting to workplace expectations.
In addition, the programme helps participants strengthen practical workplace skills, including time management and stress management. MoHRE believes these capabilities can improve professional readiness and contribute to sustainable private-sector careers.
Employers receive support to attract and retain Emirati talent
The initiative also provides practical support to employers seeking to build stronger Emirati talent pipelines.
According to MoHRE, participating companies receive guidance on attracting, onboarding and retaining Emirati professionals. Employers also gain access to aptitude assessments that help match candidates with suitable roles, improving recruitment quality while supporting employee retention.
The employer-focused approach signals a broader shift in Emiratisation. Organisations are increasingly expected to invest in career progression, workplace integration and long-term employee development instead of treating national hiring as a compliance exercise.
MoHRE says the programme will continue evolving
Highlighting the programme’s broader role, Farida Al Ali, Assistant Undersecretary for National Talents at MoHRE, said the initiative forms part of the ministry’s wider strategy to support Emirati talent and will continue to evolve alongside labour market needs.
“The initiative forms part of the ministry’s wider system for supporting national talent and will continue to evolve in response to labour-market changes.”
The ministry added that career counselling remains available to jobseekers, private-sector employees and employers seeking to strengthen their Emiratisation programmes.
Stronger Emiratisation rules raise the importance of career development
The programme’s expansion comes as the UAE strengthens private-sector Emiratisation requirements.
Companies employing 50 or more workers were required to achieve their first-half 2026 Emiratisation targets by 30 June. From 1 July, employers that failed to meet the required increase in skilled Emirati employees became liable for financial contributions.
Meanwhile, MoHRE also increased the minimum monthly wage for Emirati employees in the private sector to AED 6,000 from 1 January 2026. Employers had until 30 June to update eligible salaries, with non-compliant employment contracts no longer counting towards Emiratisation targets.
Consequently, organisations now face greater expectations to provide meaningful career opportunities, competitive employment conditions and clear development pathways for Emirati professionals.
The counselling programme supports both sides of the employment relationship. It helps Emiratis make informed career decisions while enabling employers to improve hiring quality, workforce integration and long-term retention.
