The UAE's Industrialists Career Exhibition has exceeded its headline employment target a full year ahead of schedule, having created more than 5,200 job opportunities for Emirati nationals in the industrial and advanced technology sectors in under three years.
The milestone, announced on the sidelines of the exhibition's 2026 edition, was hailed by Hassan Al Nowais, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, as evidence that the UAE's industrial growth strategy is successfully translating into meaningful employment outcomes for nationals.
Al Nowais told the Emirates News Agency that the exhibition serves as a core delivery platform for the Make it in the Emirates initiative and the National In-Country Value Programme, connecting Emirati talent directly with industrial and technology companies while supporting vocational guidance and professional development.
The 2026 edition drew strong turnout, with more than 4,500 job seekers attending across two days. The opening day alone recorded over 1,800 attendees and more than 7,300 job interviews. More than 800 Emirati men and women received preliminary qualification for roles spanning artificial intelligence, engineering, advanced manufacturing, clean energy and industrial services, backed by over 1,000 vacancies from more than 70 leading national companies.
Beyond employment, the broader industrial picture reinforces the sector's momentum. The UAE's industrial contribution to GDP has grown by approximately 70% since 2021, while industrial exports surpassed AED 262 billion in 2025, reflecting the strength of the country's industrial policies and their ability to attract investment and sharpen the competitiveness of national products in global markets.
Al Nowais described the sector's trajectory as remarkable, noting that the exhibition remains central to aligning industrial expansion with the long-term development of national human capital.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
