UAE Surpasses Employment Target with Over 5,200 Jobs for Emiratis in Industrial Sector

The Industrialists Career Exhibition has surpassed its employment target for UAE nationals in the industrial and advanced technology sectors, providing more than 5,200 job opportunities in less than three years, a senior UAE official said.

Speaking to WAM on the sidelines of the exhibition’s 2026 edition, Hassan Al Nowais, Undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT), said the target was reached a year ahead of schedule, after the goal was announced during the “Make it in the Emirates” in 2023. 

Al Nowais said the exhibition supports the National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology by connecting industrial and technology companies with Emirati job seekers and providing career guidance and professional development opportunities. 

More than 4,500 job seekers attended the two-day event, according to Al Nowais. On the first day, more than 1,800 job seekers participated and over 7,300 job interviews were conducted.

The exhibition offered more than 1,000 job openings from over 70 companies in fields including artificial intelligence, engineering, advanced manufacturing, clean energy and industrial services. He added that more than 800 Emirati candidates were preliminarily qualified for employment opportunities.

The exhibition is part of the Make it in the Emirates initiative and the National In-Country Value Program, which aim to connect industrial development with workforce participation by UAE nationals.

Al Nowais said the industrial sector’s contribution to the UAE economy has increased by about 70% since 2021, while industrial exports exceeded AED262 billion (US$71 billion) in 2025.

The UAE has been expanding its industrial sector as part of efforts to diversify the economy beyond oil and increase manufacturing and technology-based industries.