Dubai: The ninth edition of the Ethraa Career Fair, organised by the Emirates Institute of Finance (EIF) in collaboration with several key national bodies, concluded in Dubai. The event saw participation from 61 federal and local government entities, along with banks, insurance firms, exchange houses, and financial institutions.
According to Emirates News Agency, the fair witnessed significant engagement from national talent, attracting over 1000 Emirati job seekers. It provided direct employment opportunities through more than 2,000 job interviews. Additionally, it offered skill-development workshops and a dedicated career guidance zone, which recorded substantial interaction from both male and female participants.
The Ethraa Career Fair, held under the umbrella of the 'Ethraa' initiative, supports the UAE's Emiratisation strategy in the financial, banking, and insurance sectors. It aims to create over 10,000 job opportunities for Emiratis by 2027. The initiative seeks to empower young Emiratis to actively shape the future of vital economic sectors and contribute to the country's long-term development objectives.
Saif Humaid Al Dhaheri, Assistant Governor for Financial Operations and Support Services at the Central Bank of the UAE, and Vice Chairman of the Board of the Emirates Institute of Finance, emphasized the fair's strategic importance. He highlighted its role in building specialized Emirati human capital capable of adapting to rapid transformations in the financial sector, particularly amidst the ongoing shift toward digitisation and innovation.
Dr. Faisal Al Ayyan, President and CEO of the Higher Colleges of Technology, noted the importance of empowering Emirati youth to lead in key sectors like finance and banking. He emphasized the role of initiatives like the Ethraa Career Fair in preparing future-ready graduates through applied learning and strategic industry collaboration.
The event also saw the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between the Emirates Institute of Finance and both the Rochester Institute of Technology and Al-Futtaim Group. These MoUs form part of the strategy to train national talent and implement Emiratisation plans in the financial sector, aligning with the objectives of the 'Ethraa' programme.
Raghda Fatme, HR Director at Al-Futtaim Real Estate and Head of Emiratisation at Al-Futtaim, highlighted Al-Futtaim's commitment to supporting Emiratisation efforts across its various business sectors. She emphasized the importance of engaging with young Emirati talent and offering clear pathways for growth and success.
Dr Yousef Al Assaf, President of RIT Dubai, commented on the partnership with the Emirates Institute of Finance. He noted the collaboration's potential to strengthen an adaptive ecosystem for the finance sector's future, contributing to growth, innovation, and long-term stability.
The fair aligns with national efforts to invest in youth potential and support their participation in shaping the future of key sectors critical to the UAE's knowledge economy and sustainable development agenda.