The UAE Ministry of Economy, in collaboration with Integra Seven, a notable public policy research and consulting firm, held the ‘Future of Jobs’ workshop in Dubai. This event gathered senior representatives from 14 essential economic entities and companies across the nation, focusing on strategies to empower, attract, and retain talented individuals. This initiative aligns with the UAE’s vision for economic diversification and innovation.

During the workshop, participants received an exclusive preview of the upcoming UAE Future Tech Talent Report 2024, which is set to be released in October. Attendees included prominent business leaders and talent experts from various organizations such as Fragomen, Du, Amazon Web Services, Coffeee.io, DP World, Dubai Knowledge Park, Dulsco Group, e&, HSBC, MCG Talent, Nabta Health, Standard Chartered, and Stripe. The discussions revolved around the latest trends in tech talent and strategies to enhance the UAE’s position as a global hub for skilled professionals.

Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade and Minister in charge of Global Talent Attraction and Retention, stressed the importance of public-private collaboration in shaping the national economic agenda. He noted that public-private dialogue is central to developing the UAE’s economic strategy and highlighted that the roundtable on talent attraction is part of a series of vital discussions aimed at crafting policies that promote growth and diversification, supporting the nation’s ambition for a knowledge and innovation-driven economy.

The roundtable discussions tackled significant policy issues, including the escalating global competition for tech talent. Participants examined the role of the UAE’s national brand in attracting global talent and acknowledged the need to refine strategies to ensure ongoing access to specialized skills essential for the country’s economic goals.

Natalia Sycheva, Managing Director of Integra Seven, emphasized the importance of the insights in the forthcoming UAE Future Tech Talent Report 2024, which builds on last year’s findings. She mentioned that while the 2023 report highlighted key trends that have been reinforced, the 2024 edition reveals new and sometimes unexpected developments. These insights will be vital for business leaders and policymakers as they prepare for the future.

As the discussions continued, senior executives explored methods to bridge skills gaps, improve collaboration between educational institutions and industry, and facilitate the integration of local and international talent into the UAE workforce. The roundtable underscored the necessity of an agile, future-oriented approach to workforce development, ensuring that the UAE stays competitive in the global tech talent landscape.

The UAE Future Tech Talent Report 2024, which is set to be released in October, aims to provide detailed insights and practical recommendations for businesses and policymakers. This initiative highlights the UAE’s dedication to nurturing a knowledge-based economy and reinforcing its reputation as a global incubator for skilled professionals.