While nationalisation is on the agenda for many of the region’s industries, hospitality is one sector where that is continuing to prove a challenge.
Biz Group’s consultant Mamta Saha told Caterer that nationals were still opting for careers with government and semi-government organisations.
“Attracting nationals is still a challenge mainly because government organisations are still the employers of choice,” said Saha, adding that the industry needed to consider creating effective talent programmes that developed nationals into senior roles in the industry.
| Advertisement |
At present Khulood Atiq is one of the most well known national names in the F&B industry. The Tourism Council Authority Abu Dhabi is working to raise the profile of the industry.
“We work very closely with key government agencies and key players in the tourism sector to enhance and improve the skill set of Emirati nationals for the purpose of increasing their participation in the tourism sector work force. This is achieved through raising awareness of the importance of the sector, and through increased engagement with Emiratis to building their capabilities”, said Mohammed al Dhaheri, TCA Abu Dhabi Quality and Performance Manager.
“TCA Abu Dhabi has launched several initiatives to support those objectives, such as an Industry Professional Development Programme, the Abu Dhabi Ambassadors Programme, and Youth Summer Camp”.
“We are working to identify opportunities across the sector and present them to UAE nationals, one of which is definitely F&B,” he added.
Search our database of more than 2,700 industry companies
