The UAE’s software, hardware and telecom sectors witnessed an increase of 20 per cent in jobs in 2018, as compared to last year, according to the latest Monster Employment Index (MEI).

With the significant advancements of technology, growth of the e-commerce market, and demand for other digital services, there has, in turn, been an increase in demand for specialized professionals who can support this fast-paced development.

 “We are pleased to be releasing the latest findings of our MEI.  It comes as no surprise that software, hardware and telecom professions are leading growth, especially given how great 2017 has been for e-commerce in the UAE,” said Abhijeet Mukherjee, chief executive officer, Monster.com, APAC & Middle East

Digital transformation is taking over the majority of disciplines in the emirates, revolutionizing most industries as they implement technology into everyday operations and their reliance on technology grows heavier. As this path continues, and we are faced with changes in demand brought on by the Fourth Revolution, we will undoubtedly see a growing need for more talent in these fields.”

“By relying on technology, a smart government can offer more efficient services, and a smart city can facilitate smoother experiences. This is the direction that the UAE is going. Naturally, this means there will be more reliance on skilled professionals who can execute these visions on the ground. It is fascinating to see all the progress this has yielded so far. We look forward to witnessing the positive impact that the digital transformation will have across industries in the future,” added Mukherjee.

The most recent MEI also highlighted a continued growth in the consumer goods industry. This includes FMCG, food and packaged food, home appliances, garments, textiles, leather, gems and jewellery. The chemicals industry (plastic, rubber, paints, fertilizers and pesticides) also continued to grow steadily. As for engineering, construction, real estate as well as production industries, they have both recorded a decline in the previous year compared to the same period last year.

On the other hand, some occupations witnessed significant declines over the past year. HR & admin occupations in particular recorded the steepest decline, of 45 per cent. Sales and business development came in second place, with a decline of 36 per cent. Customer service and Purchase (including logistics and supply chain) closely followed, with declines of 23 per cent and 22 per cent respectively. – TradeArabia News Service