Aldar to Create 1,000 Jobs For UAE Nationals By 2026 in Line With ‘Projects Of The 50’ Nafis Programme

• Aldar to provide career opportunities for 200 locals each year for the next five years
• Roles to be created in investment and development management, education, retail, customer management and hospitality amongst others
• Amongst UAE private sector organisations Aldar is one of the largest employers of local talent representing 33.5% of its workforce
• More than 100 UAE nationals added to Aldar’s workforce in the past 2 years
• Half of Aldar’s executive team are UAE nationals as well as 32% of department heads

Abu Dhabi – UAE, 24 October 2021: Aldar Properties (‘Aldar’) will create employment opportunities for 1,000 UAE nationals over the next five years in line with the ambitious Emiratisation goals set out in the UAE’s ‘Projects of the 50’ initiative. The announcement reaffirms the company’s commitment to increase Emiratisation levels in the private sector and develop the next generation of highly skilled local talent in partnership with the UAE government to support its NAFIS programme.

A total of 200 roles will be created each year for five years across Aldar’s various subsidiarises and partner companies, with positions available for fresh graduates as well as experienced professionals. To broaden the impact of the commitment, the 1,000 jobs created will include direct roles across Aldar’s entire business, as well as indirect roles with partners and suppliers in line with Aldar’s In Country Value (ICV) programme requirements.

Through this initiative, the company will provide local talent with progressive career opportunities in roles related to investment and development management, education, retail, and hospitality amongst others. There will also be opportunities in specialist areas including sustainability, innovation, digital transformation, data and analytics, and sales.

These new positions are part of Aldar’s existing Emiratisation commitments and ongoing recruitment, which regularly places Emirati talent in senior roles throughout the business. Currently, UAE nationals represent half of Aldar’s executive management team and hold CEO positions at Aldar Group, Aldar Investment, Aldar Projects, and Aldar Ventures. 32% of department head roles are occupied by Emiratis, including the Strategy and Transformation, Sustainability, Marketing and Communications, Procurement, IT, Commercial, Portfolio Management, Investment Finance, and People, Culture and Performance departments. 18.7% of all senior roles in the organisation are held by Emirati women.

53% of Aldar’s local employees are under the age of 35 and this initiative will seek to further increase the number of young UAE nationals working within the Group, sparking creative thinking and the adoption of new technology in the sector. This focus on youth is also supported by Aldar’s graduate programmes and a recent partnership with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation to offer opportunities to young UAE nationals.

Talal Al Dhiyebi, Group Chief Executive Officer, Aldar Properties, said: “The ‘Projects of the 50’ initiative launched by the leadership of the UAE is set to guide the sustainable, long-term growth of the country and its people. We are proud to play a leading role in activating the private sector’s contribution to this important initiative. We are committed to offering the next generation of Emirati talent an opportunity to build their careers in a business with high ambitions, a solid growth trajectory, and diverse business interests. By driving the adoption of this initiative, we will deliver on our purpose as a responsible organisation and be an active enabler of the continued development of our national economy.”

Bayan Al Hosani, Executive Director for People, Culture and Performance, Aldar Properties, added: “With such a diversified business, Aldar presents many interesting career paths for both experienced and graduate Emiratis across our subsidiaries. Real estate, investment, innovation, sustainability and education will play a significant role in the development of the UAE, meaning these talented Emiratis will be at the forefront of the country’s future. We look forward to welcoming them to the Aldar family over the next five years and beyond.”

At present, 33.5% of Aldar employees are Emirati with more than 100 locals joining the company in the past 2 years. The total number across the group has been boosted in recent years through dedicated recruitment programmes that welcome new employees at all levels to the organisation each year. Aldar’s continued progress was honoured with an Emirates Emiratisation Award at the inaugural ceremony presented by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai.

Within Aldar’s business strategy, talent is a core focus for the long-term sustainable growth of the organisation. The ‘people’ pillar focuses on three main areas: attract and maintain high performing talent, develop and engage people, nurture an innovative and creative culture. Through this, the company places an emphasis on inclusion and diversity within its workforce. Over 43 nationalities are represented across Aldar, which is made up of 36% female and 64% male employees. This diversity and inclusion drive extends to People of Determination, with Aldar acting upon its commitment made as part of the GCC’s first Social Impact Bond and the ATMAH programme, which supports the training and employment of People of Determination. Aldar’s latest commitment will also ensure that more People of Determination will receive employment opportunities at Aldar.