A recent survey conducted by Bayt.com, the Middle East’s number on job site, and YouGov, a research and consulting organisation, has unveiled that34% of MENA professionals are considering an industry shift mostly into the oil, gas and petrochemicals industry (14%). However,35% of respondents are content in the industries they are currently employed in.
Reasons for Change
Of the top five industries that employees are considering moving into (oil, gas and petrochemicals; banking and finance; IT; human resources; manufacturing), the top motivational factor is money. Across each of these five sectors, the second reason cited is career growth opportunities followed by better job security.
Preferred Industries
Regionally, the preference for employment opportunities tends to lean towards the oil, gas and petrochemicals industry, with20% of survey respondents saying it is the best industry to work in, in their country of residence. The reasons for this are better career growth (25%), better job security (22%), and better remuneration packages (19%).
Second most popular is the government/civil service sector, with11% of respondents citing preference, predominantly for better job security (62%), followed by the fact that this sector was least impacted by the recession (10%), and the better work-life balance offered (9%).
Banking and finance comes in as third most desirable, opted for by10% of respondents. The reasons cited were better career growth (30%), better job security (20%) and better remuneration packages (18%).
“Oil, gas and petrochemicals is an industry that has long been associated with this region, and it is still clearly a favoured sector to work in with the majority of those looking to change careers preferring it. The trend is that employees today are looking for better salaries, job security and sectors that are less likely to collapse in a downturn, a clear sign that the recession is still affecting opinions,” said Amer Zureikat, VP Sales at Bayt.com. “Bayt.com is an ideal resource for employees who wish to explore further career options, with thousands of jobs covering all sectors readily available through the convenience of an online portal.”
Perceptions in Qatar
Respondents in Qatar see the oil, gas and petrochemicals industry as having the best salary packages (63%) and non-monetary benefits (49%). Following close on the heels in terms of perceived best salaries is banking and finance (17%), with airlines ranking third (15%). As for benefits, the oil, gas and petrochemicals industry is followed by government and civil service with17%, and airlines with13%.
In terms of work-life balance, oil, gas and petrochemicals leads with44% saying it is the best industry in Qatar to offer this equation, government and civil service ranked second with19%, followed by banking and finance with18%.
When it comes to the industry offering the best career growth in Qatar,55% said oil, gas and petrochemicals,20% banking and finance, and20% construction.
Oil, gas and petrochemicals (44%) also seems to be hiring most in Qatar, followed by construction (40%) and government and civil service (13%).
Oil, gas and petrochemicals is seen as the industry retaining the best talent in Qatar (53%) followed by banking and finance (18%) and airlines (16%).
As far as local talent is concerned, oil, gas and petrochemicals ranks first with20% saying it is most favourable and popular with local talent. Construction comes second with15%, followed by government and civil service at12%.
Respondents in Qatar believe that construction (11%) is the industry that has downsized most in recent years; government and civil service (9%) and banking and finance (8%) are also considered to have been hit hard.
Oil, gas and petrochemicals (27%) is considered to be the most popular industry for expatriates in Qatar. Ranked second is construction with22%. Government and civil service came in third most popular, with6%.
Government jobs are considered to be extremely favourable by46% of Qatar-based respondents.
Industries considered to be the most favourable and popular for women in Qatar are education and academia (17%), healthcare and medical services (15%) and banking and finance (13%). As for fresh graduates, government and civil service is most popular (15%), followed by construction (11%) and banking and finance (10%).
“While the oil, gas and petrochemical industry is clearly a leading choice for many, it appears that the region’s banking and finance sector is up-and-coming for employment opportunities. That it is the top favoured industry for new graduates, along with jobs in government and civil service, shows that there is clearly a demand for more jobs within those particular sectors,” said Sundip Chahal, CEO, YouGov.
Data for the Bayt.com Top Industries survey was collected online from November1 -21,2011, with8,664 respondents aged18+, representing Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, KSA, Syria, Tunisia and the UAE.