The UAE is experiencing a significant transformation in the way businesses operate, and the adoption of digital technology is one of the primary drivers of this change. As we previously noted, this shift is having a significant impact on the country’s labor market, requiring workers to acquire new and advanced digital skills.
According to recent data from research firms Bersin, Accenture, and Gartner, the adoption of digital technology is resulting in a significant demand for digital skills across all sectors of the UAE economy. Employers are actively seeking workers with advanced capabilities in areas such as data analysis, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. In response to this trend, the UAE government has placed a greater emphasis on investing in the education and training necessary to upskill the current workforce.
The government has also created several initiatives to attract new talent from around the world with the required expertise in digital technologies. For example, the UAE government has launched several initiatives to develop digital skills, including the “Future Skills” program, which aims to train up to 100,000 individuals in the UAE in emerging technologies such as AI, blockchain, and data science. In addition, the government has created a “Golden Visa” program that provides long-term residency visas for highly skilled expats working in the UAE’s technology sector, further enhancing the country’s efforts to attract new talent. Furthermore, industry leaders are recognizing that investing in the development of digital skills and technologies is essential for the UAE’s long-term economic growth.
Several major businesses in the UAE are creating training programs and investing heavily in the development of their current staff to nurture digital skills and expertise. For example, Majid Al Futtaim, a leading UAE-based retail and entertainment company, has launched the “School of Analytics and Technology” to upskill their employees in data analytics, cybersecurity, and digital transformation.
Despite these efforts, there are concerns that the rapid adoption of digital technologies could exacerbate inequalities in the labor market. Highly skilled professionals with specialized digital skills command significantly higher salaries than their less-skilled counterparts, which could widen the wage gap and create greater disparities in economic opportunity.
As the adoption of digital technologies continues to accelerate, it is essential that policymakers, businesses, and educational institutions work together to ensure that workers across all skill levels have access to training and development opportunities. The successful adaptation of a highly skilled workforce in the UAE will be pivotal in driving the country’s long-term economic growth and cementing its position as a leader in the global digital economy.