Emiratis can now directly apply for more than 5,000 job roles across 160 professions thanks to a new e-government platform.

The UAE Jobs Bank initiative, which simplifies the job application process for UAE nationals in their search for work, was launched on Tuesday at the UAE Government annual meetings.

The e-government platform gives UAE nationals priority when applying for roles in the targeted 160 professions across public and private sector organisations.

The online portal, spearheaded by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, was launched as part of the UAE Cabinet’s drive to prioritise the employment of Emiratis across the country.

It has been jointly implemented by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship and Federal Authority for Government Human Resources.

Job opportunities will be posted directly on the www.aejob.ae website and employers will conduct job interviews with prospective UAE national employees, whose qualifications and competences meet the job requirements.

Companies will be required to justify valid reasons for rejecting hopeful applicants.

The system will be rolled out in two phases. From this month, government entities, semi-government companies, federal and local organisations, public shareholding companies and national banks can now post job openings directly on the website.

The second phase will be implemented in the second quarter of next year and will include all government entities, semi-government and the private sector companies.

The policy of Emiratisation - or Tawteen in Arabic - is a key priority of the UAE. It mandates the inclusion of Emiratis in the job market, especially in the private sector.

By increasing the number of Emiratis in work, it is hoped that the UAE will reduce its reliance on expatriate labour and have a more diverse workforce for its citizens.

In September, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, said that 20,000 new jobs would be created for Emiratis over the next three years.