New Data Reveals the Most In-Demand Skills Among UAE Employers

Despite the growing focus on AI skills, communication remains the most sought-after skill among UAE employers, according to a new study by Informa Connect Academy. The UAE Skills Index found that AI ranks just 13th overall, appearing in 15.2% of job listings.

The study analysed 4,706 UAE LinkedIn job listings, examining demand for 57 skills across different professions, industries and seniority levels.

Key findings:

• Communication leads: Named in 59.1% of listings, ranking first across all 11 industries analysed.
• Soft skills dominate: Teamwork (41.7%) and leadership (32.7%) rank second and third.
• AI trails Excel: AI (15.2%) ranks second among technical skills, just behind Excel (15.8%).
• AI demand varies by profession: 56.6% of data/analytics listings require AI skills, compared with 29.4% in IT and 18.4% in marketing.
• Entry-level expectations: Communication appears in 67.6% of entry-level listings, its highest share across seniority levels.

You can explore the full report here: https://informaconnect.com/academy/the-uae-skills-index-what-employers-want-from-todays-workforce/