LEADERSHIP | DEVELOPMENT

Ronald Mouchawar VP of Amazon MENA to support PwC ’ s ambitious strategy in creating a pipeline of future national leaders .

“ I aim to take on the bigger challenge of driving real contribution to our firm ’ s nationalisation agenda and turning the needle on a very strategic topic for the UAE .”

With 61 % of Emirati graduates expressing interest in securing employment in the private sector , according to PwC research – what then can businesses do to ensure they not only attract but retain talent ? The businesses most likely to succeed are those demonstrating a clear and effective plan to invest in Emirati talent for their individual growth , something Abdulrahman says can be achieved via both internal growth plans ( upskilling , coaching and leadership opportunities ) and external plans , from supplementing tuition to supporting professional qualifications .

Abdalrahman points to PwC ’ s career coach programme , where Emiratis are challenged to set ambitious goals for themselves every year and are held accountable for those goals .

Transparency is essential too , with the outlining of clear pathways to career success giving Emiratis an understanding of what the future might hold for them .

Finally , Abdulrahman suggests private sector firms engage in authentic and genuine conversations with national recruits , to understand their needs and to assuage graduate fears about the private sector .

“ Many in the prospective Emirati talent pool feel they are taking a big leap moving from the public sector – and the private sector can feel alien and daunting . Understanding and dissuading their fears can help them to better visualise a future there .”

Armed with such tactics , the revised rules requiring businesses to increase their UAE national count by 2 % each year – reaching 10 % by 2026 – is not only possible , but if PwC Middle East is anything to go by – highly probable .

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