Dubai has opened a major recruitment window for Emirati jobseekers as Ru’ya Careers UAE 2026 gets underway at Dubai World Trade Centre with more than 750 government vacancies and immediate interviews for selected positions.

The three-day event runs from September 28 to 30 and brings together more than 150 employers representing over 23 sectors under a theme focused on the future of work.

Dr Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation and Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, inaugurated the event.

The Dubai Government Human Resources Department platform alone represents 34 government entities, creating opportunities for experienced professionals and fresh graduates while allowing school and university students to explore current roles and understand which careers are expected to grow in the years ahead.

Technology is emerging as one of the strongest themes shaping Dubai jobs in 2026, with seven areas highlighted among future employment priorities.

They include data analysts, artificial intelligence experts, artificial intelligence partners, cloud computing engineers, digital infrastructure specialists and artificial intelligence ethics specialists, alongside engineering disciplines connected to transport projects and future technologies.

The changing demand also reflects a broader approach to Emiratisation that extends beyond placing candidates into available jobs.

Dubai Government Human Resources Department Director General Abdullah Ali bin Zayed Al Falasi highlighted the importance of professional growth, career progression and creating an environment where Emirati talent can assume greater responsibilities as their careers develop.

A new employment channel is also opening through the Emirati platform, where registration has been made available to UAE nationals.

Around 38,000 citizens are currently represented on the platform, including jobseekers, private sector employees and people registered with Nafis. Services cover citizens from the age of 15 through post-retirement stages and include artificial intelligence analysis of uploaded resumes to identify areas that may require further development.

The system can also match candidates with vacancies while using the residential location of the jobseeker and workplace location supplied by an employer to calculate the distance between them.

Users can access services through UAE Pass, while the number of available vacancies on the platform is expected to reach around 800 within a month as more companies and employment opportunities are added.

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority and Dubai Municipality are contributing hundreds of additional career opportunities. The authority is offering 215 positions, including 100 jobs for fresh graduates and 115 for experienced professionals, while seeking another 55 graduates through its Future Makers initiative. The programme is designed to prepare Emirati specialists for major future projects including Dubai Metro Blue Line expansions, the Gold Line, Dubai Loop and air taxi projects.

Demand is growing for artificial intelligence partners, cloud computing engineers, infrastructure specialists and artificial intelligence ethics professionals alongside engineering experts.

Emiratisation at the authority stands at around 54 percent and reaches between 62 and 64 percent in specialist positions. Dubai Municipality is meanwhile offering 73 jobs with immediate hiring available to qualified candidates, with opportunities spanning engineering, inspection, data analysis, artificial intelligence and other disciplines. Emiratis currently represent around 57.5 percent of its workforce.

The latest Nafis figures add another dimension to the employment landscape, with more than 45,000 Emiratis joining the private sector since the beginning of 2026. More than 190,000 UAE nationals are now working in the private sector, including 16,274 people holding work permits from other entities, while more than 175,000 citizens have benefited from financial support programmes since Nafis was launched in 2021.

More than 32,000 private sector establishments have hired Emirati employees, while 172,000 citizens who entered the private and banking sectors since the programme began remain employed. Combined with the hundreds of vacancies being presented at Ru’ya Careers UAE 2026, the figures highlight a labour market where technology, artificial intelligence, data, infrastructure and engineering are becoming increasingly prominent career paths for Emirati talent.