Diversity within the Energy Sector in the UAE

Thank you for your interest in my latest blog article, for this one I will tackle a different angle than my previous ones. Recently, I’ve written about some key energy events I attended in 2024 and shared my perspectives on Hydrogen and CCS markets. Having moved into the corporate sector with my focus now on the Middle East, I wanted to share my thoughts on an area I feel strongly about: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). On the back of the success of my colleague Chris Morrison’s blog about navigating a move to UAE, I wanted to position this to be something more geographically focused. In this blog, I’ll discuss the importance of diversity in the energy sector and highlight the forward-thinking steps being taken by both the UAE and energy companies there, to drive progress in this area. This blog is aimed at those wondering about 1. a career in energy the UAE 2. and how life is like for those who make the move to the Middle East.  

I decided to write on this topic as it’s an area close to my heart. As an Italian woman living in Edinburgh, I’ve experienced the trials and tribulations of moving abroad, and embraced the expat life. Professionally, my experience with diversity includes being actively involved in WENA (Women’s Energy Network Alliance) and Women in Green Hydrogen society. Earlier, during my university days, DEI formed an important part of my educational experience – the DEI course I elected to take was standout and memorable class for me. Finally from a personal perspective, I’ve taught Italian as language to people of various ethnic backgrounds and gained practical work experience in this area, so it’s an topic I feel quite capable in discussing.

The hyper-growth the UAE achieved is impressive, but due to their relatively small population – they did not have a surplus of labour, and lacked an indigenous skilled workforce – forcing them to look outwards for help. The UAE is now home to 200-plus nationalities, the country’s landscape is now a melting pot of Emiratis and expats living side by side, and there’s many reasons why this is the case. According to InterNations 2024, the UAE ranks as number 1 country for expat essentials, and 2^ndout of 53 for career prospects. Impressive stats indeed, I’ll take a look now at some components that have positively contributed to these rankings. In this blog, I discuss some of the key aspects that make up the work scene within the UAE. We will touch upon expat elements, the benefits and challenges of working in the UAE and how this nation is setting a benchmark for attracting diverse talent in energy.

But how are local Emiratis fairing in the job market?

The ability to attract overseas talent definitely worked in the UAE, in fact, so well that the government has taken steps to make a more equitable mix of local vs foreign workforce. To avoid creating an overly top-heavy or expat-dominated job market, the government recognised the importance of reducing reliance on public sector roles among locals. They also emphasised the need for Emiratis to work within private industry—contributing, leading, and gaining invaluable experience from expatriates' expertise.

The initiative the government established, known as the Nafis programme, was created with the aim to increase the number of Emirati citizens in the workforce. Employers are now required to actively attract and train Emirati talent, with fines imposed for non-compliance. It’s clearly working, according to the Nafis official website, the programme has achieved notable success, boosting Emirati representation in the private sector by 70%.

WeConnect Energy have offices in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi, we are proud to be involved and contribute to this transition. This year, we were delighted to welcome Emirati talent to our multicultural team, which now represents an impressive twelve nationalities. We have seen nothing but success from being involved in the Nafis programme. Having local talent and know-how undoubtably enriches our workplace culture, all the while delivering on the UAE’s drive for better inclusivity.

Women’s role in the UAE workforce

Part of the reason I wrote on this topic is that I often get female candidates unsure of how easily they would slot into the working world in the UAE. Most of these concerns of course are very valid, and I shall try address recurring concerns throughout. Regarding the countries landscape currently, while researching for this blog, I was genuinely impressed to discover the strength of the pipeline for diversity in STEM fields in the UAE. Women in Arab countries are making significant contributions to advancing science, research, and innovation across the Middle East and beyond. According to UNESCO, women constitute up to 57% of STEM graduates in Arab nations—a remarkable statistic that highlights the potential for greater gender diversity in these fields, energy included.

However, translating this academic success into real-world impact remains a challenge. For instance, in 2022, only 11% of start-up founders in the energy sector were women. This gap highlights the importance of addressing persistent barriers, such as limited awareness of opportunities, educational inequalities, biased hiring practices, and unsupportive workplace cultures. In turn, these issues contribute to the underrepresentation of women in leadership roles across the sector

In this context, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) become critical to achieving a successful and equitable energy transition. It’s a topic that I’ve had much involvement in during my time at WeConnect Energy. As I mentioned, we actively participate in events and initiatives aimed at promoting diversity, such as the WENA Conference 2024 and the Women in Decommissioning Conference. Additionally, my colleague Holly Smith released a comprehensive piece focusing on women in STEM, featuring interviews with women in the energy industry and sharing valuable advice for others aspiring to follow in their footsteps.

Despite these efforts, common challenges persist worldwide. Closer to home, Bain & Company reports that in the UK, only 3 in 10 board members are women, and pretty shockingly, just 3 of the top 80 companies have a female CEO. The report continues that while representation is improving, the pace of change remains slow. This point was further reflected in our 2024 WeConnect Energy Salary Surveys, which revealed a glaring gender imbalance and pay gap. While the survey had a strong response rate, the number of women participants was relatively low, reflecting the industry’s male-dominated reputation. That said, there are glimmers of hope, particularly in corporate roles, the sector in which I work in, where nearly one-third of respondents identified as female—signalling progress, though improvement is still needed. ‍

What’s the company culture like?

There are plenty of positives, gf you asked me to describe the UAE workplace, the one I would give you is – diversity. The sheer variety of candidates backgrounds, and with companies made up of professionals from all across the world. I doubt you’ll feel like an outsider. This leads to an environment where collaboration across a huge range of cultures is the norm. You could very easily end up working amongst individuals from your own home country. I am fairly certain you won’t feel out of place, as almost 9/10of residents are foreign born! According to Global Media Insight, as of the Dec 2024, the UAE has a population of roughly 12.5 million people. The demographic composition is heavily skewed towards expatriates, hovering around 88% of the population (approx. 11million),leaving Emirati nationals at around 12%.

For those of you thinking of making the move and have concerns about how you would successfully integrate into a new culture, or career advancement opportunities, the UAE delivers on both. WeConnect Energy can attest to this, having placed female executives who are now on impressive career trajectories, including those at Vice President level at major NOCs. If you are thinking of moving to the UAE but have doubts regarding country and workplace environment, I’ve compiled some FAQ’s from my experience and with the help of a  bit of online research to help clarify a few things. A reminder that some of these points are on the basis of what our clients offer and of course, and might not be applicable to all. From our experience, there is no prejudice and our dealings with hiring managers have always been transparent and fair.

What are the visa requirements for moving to the UAE?

Most expats will require an employment visa sponsored by their employer. The companies we work with often handle the visa process - which includes medical examinations, documentation, and government approvals. If you are hired as a contractor, through us, then WeConnect Energy will manage this for you.

An important point to note: in the UAE, the standard maximum age for obtaining awork visa is 60 years. However, individuals can continue working up to the age of 65, provided their employers successfully apply for the necessary permits. Beyond 65, obtaining a work permit becomes more challenging and is subject to stricter criteria. This translates to opportunities for those over 60 are generally limited to contracting or consultancy roles.

Do I need health insurance in the UAE?

Yes, health insurance is mandatory. Employers typically provide coverage, but individuals may need additional private insurance for dependents or enhanced coverage. The clients we hire for normally provide new hires with premium, high quality insurance packages by default. What’s more, the health care system is ranked by locals and expats alike as some of the best in the world – and expats agree.

Whilst premiums for private healthcare are costly for those who need to source insurance themselves, the level of facilities in the UAE is held in high regard globally. An interesting finding from Brand Study suggests that merely 6% of foreign residents of the UAE think their home country's healthcare system surpasses that of the UAE, high praise indeed.

How easy is it find accommodation in the UAE?

Rental properties are widely available. The clients that we work with normally help new joiners with the move in process, with some clients even offering temporary accommodation and house sourcing assistance for those new to the country.

For security deposits, the industry standard is 5% of the annual rent for unfurnished units and 10% for furnished apartments. Though this is a baseline and may require some bargaining between you and your new landlord to agree on a rate that suits both of you.

How do I move my belongings to the UAE?

‍The clients we work with often cover the cost of shipping a full shipping container for relocation. Flights for you and your family are typically covered as well, making the process that big smoother and providing you with peace of mind.

What about the salaries and work patterns?

Salaries in the UAE often consist of multiple components beyond the base pay, including elements such as school allowances, premiums, and other benefits. Job seekers will be pleased to know that these additional elements can significantly increase the overall package, depending of course on the employer and role.

As for work patterns, hybrid roles are increasingly common. A lot of the clients we work with offer flexibility, letting employees work from home one or two days a week, though it’s always worth confirming this early in the interview stages.

What about the fabled personal income taxes structures within the UAE?

For many, the UAE has no personal income or national taxes, and this tax-free environment is one of the most attractive features for expats. Expatriate employees are not required to make social security contributions in the UAE, though, they are entitled to an end-of-service gratuity payment (essentially a severance payment funded entirely by the employer), upon completion of their employment contract and provided they meet the criteria.

Can I bring my family to the UAE?

Yes, expatriates can sponsor their spouse and children, provided they meet the minimum salary requirements, which vary. It's a good idea to discuss this during the interview process. Many employers we deal with offer support to guide employees through the sponsorship process, often managing it in-house. This is something we can assist with and confirm with your potential employer.

For those considering the move but have reservations about their partners finding roles too, the UAE non-oil private sector job market is poised for significant growth in 2025, with companies planning substantial hiring initiatives across various sectors. According to Robert Half's 2025 UAE Salary Guide, 63% of business leaders anticipate increasing their workforce in the coming year, primarily driven by business expansion needs.

What is the education system like?

The UAE has plenty of private schools that follow international curricula like British, American, and IB. Places are in high demand, and fees can be steep, though, so you’ll want to plan ahead. Many employers offer education allowances though, which helps with the costs involved. The UAE’s private schools host students from various nationalities, this multicultural environment allows for easier integration and providing some peace of mind for families moving there. Dubai in particular has almost half of the 800+ international schools, making it highly attractive among expats.

For those interested in furthering their education whilst working, the UAE is home to a number of universities that are recognised and respected globally, including the Khalifa University and the United Arab Emirates University.

How hot does it get in the UAE?

Being in the desert, there’s no getting around the fact that it gets hot. Summers (June to September) can exceed 45°C (113°F),while winters can be considered  mild and pleasant and a welcome relief, averaging 18°C–25°C (64°F–77°F).

What languages are spoken in the UAE?

Arabic is the official language, but English is widely spoken, especially in business and expatriate communities, and the level of English amongst locals is normally very impressive.

Can women work in the UAE?

Women actively participate in the workforce, and many hold leadership positions across industries including many of the IOC and NOC’s we work with. Labour Laws are in place regarding equal pay and opportunities amongst genders. Female expats have nothing to worry about and should not face any restrictions.

Are there any cultural norms to follow in the UAE?

In short, there are, as the UAE is a Muslim country - even in tourist flocked Dubai — there are some norms that are worth noting, as per The Telegraph.

1. Respect the local culture by dressing modestly, for women this means no tight clothing and covered where possible, for men shirts should always remain on and no brash slogans or images on clothing, especially in public spaces. Be mindful of Islamic practices and avoid public displays of affection or any physical interaction with the opposite sex.

2. During the Islamic holy month of Ramadan (March 2025), it is respectful to avoid eating, drinking, or smoking in public during daylight hours, as many people are fasting. While non-Muslims are not always required to follow this practice, being mindful and refraining in public spaces is appreciated as a gesture of respect.

3. Despite what some may think, alcohol for residents is available in licensed venues such as hotels, restaurants, and clubs. However, drinking in public places is illegal, and being intoxicated in public can lead to serious legal issues.

4. Be mindful when taking photos of people, in particular women, as doing so without their consent is considered disrespectful and can be illegal.

What is the public transportation system like in the UAE?

Dubai has an extensive metro, bus, and tram system. Other emirates rely more on buses and taxis. Owning a car is very common for convenience and for expats from Europe/America in particular, you’ll notice that Uber is considerably cheaper, and plentiful.

What public holidays are observed in the UAE?

For most people, you will be glad to know that you’ll benefit from more public holidays than you might be traditionally used to. Public holidays include Islamic events like Eid and National Day (2nd December).Islamic dates vary based on the lunar calendar, there will be 14 in 2025 for example.

To conclude

This was my first country specific, I hope you enjoyed this blog as much as I did writing it. For those interested in discovering a bit more about the Middle East, take a look at this excellent resource with more info about Labour Insights in the region. My team and I specialise in supporting UAE-based companies with their hiring needs and can help you find your next ideal role. If there’s anything I can assist with, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.