UAE Emiratisation Policy and Workforce Training Support

Understand the UAE Emiratisation policy, hiring targets, and how training solutions from ISM Dubai can support business compliance and talent growth.

As part of the UAE’s national strategy to empower Emiratis and build a sustainable economy, the government introduced new Emiratisation rules in 2022.

Originally targeting companies with 50 or more employees, the policy was expanded in 2024 to include smaller businesses with 20–49 staff.

Emiratisation’s aim is clear: to ensure UAE nationals play a central role in the private sector—across all industries, at every scale.

In this guide, we will explore the Emiratisation training and how it benefits the Emirati workforce.

Why Trust ISM Training?

Over 20,000+ graduates

Have advanced their career with ISM Training

89%

of ISM graduates say our course helped them get a promotion.

76%

said that their training helped then increase their salary.

97%

of graduates want to study more of our courses.

Our graduates are working in some of the biggest companies worldwide, companies like...

Google Logo
Mercedes Benz Logo
BNP Paribas Logo
Loreal Logo
ADCB Logo
Meta Logo

Which industries are affected?

Emiratisation applies to 14 strategic sectors that are critical to the country’s growth:

  • ICT (Information & Communications Technology)
  • Banking, Finance & Insurance
  • Real Estate
  • Education & Healthcare
  • Manufacturing & Construction
  • Transport & Storage
  • Retail, Wholesale & Hospitality
  • Arts, Entertainment & Culture
  • Social & Technical Services

These sectors offer strong opportunities for Emirati talent. Businesses must be ready to support their development within these fields.

Read our guide to Emiratisation jobs to find out more.

Hiring targets and employer requirements

The UAE government has set clear targets:

  • 8% Emirati workforce by 2025
  • 10% by 2026

Companies must increase their Emirati staff by 1% every 6 months to stay on track. Larger companies (50+ employees) must also ensure 2% of skilled roles are held by Emiratis.

Non-compliance can lead to penalties starting at AED 96,000 per unfilled role, with increases each year.

More details are available via the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.

Start your course today!

We offer a comprehensive curriculum that covers all of the essential topics. Our experienced instructors will provide you with the support and guidance that you need to succeed.

How ISM Dubai can help you meet these targets

As one of the UAE’s leading providers of corporate training and development, ISM Dubai helps businesses:

  • Upskill Emirati talent to meet job-specific requirements
  • Build custom training programs aligned to industry standards
  • Provide soft skills, leadership, and technical workshops
  • Support onboarding and professional growth for new hires
  • Align training with Emiratisation reporting and compliance goals

Whether you are hiring your first Emirati employee or expanding your program across departments, our training expertise ensures your investment in local talent pays off.

We let our graduates do the talking...

Compliance levels explained

Businesses are ranked in three tiers based on their Emiratisation efforts:

  • Level 1 – Fully compliant with hiring and legal obligations
  • Level 2 – Making good progress toward targets
  • Level 3 – Not compliant over two financial years; subject to higher penalties and monitoring

Avoiding Level 3 status means taking action early—something ISM can support through training-based integration strategies.

Why Emiratisation matters for the long term

Emiratisation is not just a hiring initiative—it is a pillar of the UAE’s economic vision. Although it comes with its own challenges, it also offers a wide range of benefits and strengthens UAE’s workforce.

Investing in Emirati talent now builds a resilient, local workforce that contributes to national growth. With the right training programs in place, businesses not only meet legal requirements—they gain motivated, skilled professionals who grow with the company.

At ISM Dubai, we support this mission by helping organisations train and prepare Emiratis to succeed in real-world roles—bridging skills gaps and supporting long-term workforce development.

Enquire today to learn how we can take your employability to the next level.

Frequently Asked Questions

It’s a UAE government initiative that requires private companies to hire Emirati nationals based on company size and sector.

Yes. Companies with 20–49 employees must hire at least one Emirati by 2024 and a second by 2025.

Fines start at AED 96,000 per unfilled Emirati role and increase based on how long a business stays non-compliant.

Yes. Government programs and private training providers like ISM Dubai offer tailored upskilling to help Emiratis transition successfully into private sector roles.

We provide bespoke training, skills development workshops, and employee onboarding solutions to help you meet Emiratisation targets while building strong internal teams.

Join 1000's of individuals and teams certified by the Institute of Sales & Marketing

Testimonials from Our Valued Clients

Discover the transformative experiences our clients have had with our training programs.
Hear directly from those who have unlocked their potential and achieved remarkable success.

stars icon

Some other providers courses can be quite a chore! However, I felt fully engaged and excited by all the new selling tools I have...

Testimonials headshot

Daniel Graham

stars icon

Instead of just telling me what to do, they showed us how to do it as well as why to do it. They used real-life experiences...

Testimonials headshot

Sujit Nair

stars icon

The training was delivered in an easy to absorb manner and focused on all the key areas...

Testimonials headshot

Paul Baker CFP

Stay informed and inspired

Read our blog

    Get in touch

    Advance your career and achieve your goals

    Enter your details below & we will be in touch to discuss how we can help