Skilled Jobs for Emiratisation: How Skill Levels Work and How to Apply Them

MOHRE skill levels explained (Level 1–3)

MOHRE classifies jobs into different skill levels.

For Emiratisation, the focus is on:

Level 1 — Highly skilled

• Managers, directors, senior professionals
• Typically require a bachelor’s degree or higher

Level 2 — Skilled professionals

• Specialists, technicians, supervisors
• Require formal qualifications or certifications

Level 3 — Semi-skilled (qualified roles)

• Clerical, administrative, and some operational roles
• Require secondary education or equivalent

Emiratisation targets apply primarily to Levels 1–3, depending on classification and structure.

If a role falls outside these levels, it does not contribute toward your quota.

Education and salary considerations

MOHRE classification is not based on job title alone.

It is influenced by:

• Educational qualifications
• Salary thresholds
• Nature of the role and responsibilities

A role titled “Manager” may still be classified as non-skilled if it does not meet these criteria.

This is where internal assumptions often fail.

What can disqualify a role from being “skilled”?

Even legitimate roles can fail to qualify if:

• The salary is below expected thresholds
• The employee lacks required qualifications
• The job classification submitted is inaccurate
• The role does not align with MOHRE’s defined categories

Misclassification leads to a false sense of compliance.

Common mistakes employers make

1. Relying on job titles alone
Titles do not determine skill level. Classification does.

2. Misaligned job descriptions
If the role description does not reflect a skilled position, it may not count.

3. Ignoring MOHRE classification
Internal HR systems may differ from how MOHRE evaluates roles.

4. Hiring without verification
Assuming a role qualifies without confirming its classification.

These mistakes often surface only during compliance checks.

Role examples by department

To simplify:

Finance

• Financial Analyst → Skilled
• CFO → Skilled

Human Resources

• HR Manager → Skilled
• HR Coordinator → Depends on classification

Operations

• Operations Manager → Skilled
• General Assistant → Not skilled

Sales

• Sales Manager → Skilled
• Sales Executive → Often skilled, depending on structure

Technology

• Software Engineer → Skilled
• IT Support → Typically skilled

The key is not the title. It is how the role is classified and registered.

Applying this correctly in your hiring

To ensure roles count toward Emiratisation:

• Align job descriptions with skilled classifications
• Verify role eligibility before hiring
• Ensure compensation and qualifications meet expectations
• Track roles based on MOHRE definitions, not internal labels

This is where precision matters.

Role alignment at scale

When hiring multiple roles, consistency becomes difficult.

Dawlati simplifies this.

• Matches candidates based on actual role requirements
• Aligns hiring with skilled job classifications
• Provides access to candidates suitable for Level 1–3 roles

This ensures your hiring contributes directly to compliance, not just headcount.

FAQ

What is a skilled role in the UAE?
A role classified by MOHRE within defined skill levels based on qualifications, salary, and job type.

Which skill levels count for Emiratisation?
Primarily Levels 1–3.

Do all job titles count as skilled roles?
No. Classification depends on multiple factors, not just title.

Are sales roles considered skilled?
Often yes, but it depends on structure, salary, and classification.

How can I check if a role is skilled?
By aligning it with MOHRE classification criteria and registered job category.

Final thought

Emiratisation is not just about hiring Emiratis.

It is about hiring them into the right roles.

Getting this wrong does not just slow progress.
It creates hidden compliance risk.

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