• DFAc’s interactive workshop saw Human Resources experts discuss the future of jobs in the UAE;
• The Fourth Industrial Revolution is contributing to the increasing demand for specialized and future skills;
• The labor market is experiencing rapid transformations with the emergence of new and advanced technologies;

Dubai Future Academy (DFAc), one of Dubai Future Foundation’s (DFF) initiatives, curated a workshop to prepare the local talent for the future global economy. Held under the theme ‘Future of Jobs in the UAE’, the interactive session sought to enable collaborative action that will help workers across the UAE thrive in the era Fourth Industrial Revolution, and further remain productive and employable.

The workshop brought together senior officials, managers and experts in the field of human resources from various government and private entities in the UAE to identify common challenges and opportunities when considering the emergence of new labor market trends. They focused as well on global and local trends considered critical in preparing the workforce for the jobs and skills of the future.

Speaking at the session, Saeed Al Gergawi, Director of Dubai Future Academy, pointed to DFAc’s strategic role in nurturing national talent and empowering it with forward-thinking skills through its knowledge initiatives, training programs and dialogue sessions, in a manner that supports Dubai’s Vision 2021. He added that the nation has always been at the frontline of modern technology and plays a crucial role in anticipating rapid transformation for planning and shaping the future.

Facilitating this session, DFAc hosted Mariam Al Muhairi and Arwa Al Qassim from the Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution UAE (C4IR UAE), one of the initiatives launched jointly by DFF. They stated that technology will radically transform a third of jobs known worldwide over the next decade, and proceeded to discuss the fundamental shifts taking place in the labor markets, the most sough-after jobs and future skills.

Additionally, the session shed light on a set of transformative changes taking place in the labor market in both the UAE and globally. This includes new requirements of specialized talent such as the creative and critical thinking, effective management skills and teambuilding, as well as emotional and cultural intelligence.

While participants were informed of the dissolution of certain jobs in the fields of transport, banking, tourism and economics, it is estimated that 133 million new jobs will be created in major global economies by 2020, in response to the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The discussion also focused on reviewing the latest trends at local and global levels and their impact on the quality of required skills and jobs of the future. In addition, there was emphasis on the importance of enhancing the education system in Dubai and the UAE to instill the skills needed in future generations, in an aim to develop a pioneering model to be mirrored by countries worldwide.

Attendees deliberated on important future strategies launched by their institutions with the aim of developing the process of attracting national talents and global experiences. The partakers also touched upon a set of successful initiatives in the UAE to support jobs related to innovation and the employment of modern technology.

As part of its efforts to impart knowledge, DFAc will organize a series of training courses in various sectors and fields in the coming months, including ‘Impact Investing at the Crossroads’ on Tuesday, 18 February; the ‘The Future Value of Data’ on Monday, 23 March; ‘Transition Management towards a Sustainable Future’ from 24 – 26 March; ‘The World in 5 Years’ on Monday, 30 March; and ‘Future Storytelling’ from 5 – 7 April.