ADNOC And Nafis Collaborate To Create Over 13,000 Jobs For UAE Nationals

ADNOC and the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council (ETCC) have entered into a strategic partnership to generate 13,500 new private sector jobs for UAE Nationals by 2028. This initiative is part of the UAE’s broader objective to create 100,000 private sector positions for Emiratis within the next three years. The collaboration aims to open up high-skilled roles in advanced sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), engineering, and manufacturing.

This year, job and training opportunities will be extended to UAE Nationals in the Al Dhafra region. ADNOC will also offer 1,000 vocational training opportunities through Nafis’s Apprentice Programme for UAE university graduates in private companies within ADNOC's supply chain. These efforts are designed to enhance local talent and integrate them into the workforce effectively.

Ghannam Butti Al Mazrouei, Secretary-General of the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council, stated, "This agreement with ADNOC reaffirms our commitment to empowering Emirati youth and enhancing their integration into the workforce. Through strategic partnerships with the government and private sectors, we aim to create more opportunities for UAE Nationals and ensure their meaningful participation in the country’s economic growth and development. This commitment aligns with our wise leadership’s vision of empowering local talent and enhancing their contribution to the sustainable development process. By urging private sector companies to prioritize employing Nationals, we are not only investing in the future of our youth but also enhancing economic sustainability through a diverse workforce."

ADNOC's In-Country Value (ICV) programme has already created 11,500 jobs for UAE Nationals since its inception in 2018. The new agreement will increase this number to 25,000 by 2028. The ICV programme focuses on accelerating UAE talent development and expanding its scope to include more local and international companies. This expansion aims to empower Emirati entrepreneurs, micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (mSMEs), and talented individuals.

Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and ADNOC Managing Director and Group CEO, remarked, "Nurturing and empowering local talent is a top priority for ADNOC, and we are extremely proud of the impact of our ICV programme in upskilling our people. Through this new agreement with Nafis, we will provide more private-sector job opportunities for local talent that enable them to contribute to the UAE’s industrial and economic growth as we grow our diversified portfolio to ensure a secure, reliable, and responsible supply of energy to the world."

Strategic Partnerships

In recent years, several agreements between Nafis and ADNOC have been signed with a focus on creating highly skilled jobs for UAE talent within ADNOC’s supply chain. These collaborations aim at integrating Emirati youth into various advanced technology sectors including AI, manufacturing, transportation, and lower-carbon solutions.

The next phase of ADNOC's ICV programme involves partnering with more local and international companies. This phase aims at empowering Emirati entrepreneurs as well as micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (mSMEs). The goal is to improve self-sufficiency in key sectors like advanced technology including AI.

The collaboration between ADNOC and ETCC underscores a shared commitment towards nurturing local talent while contributing significantly to the UAE's economic growth. By prioritising employment for Nationals in private sectors through strategic partnerships, both entities aim at fostering sustainable development across various industries.

This initiative not only supports national goals but also ensures that Emiratis play a crucial role in driving forward technological advancements within their country.

With inputs from WAM