Gems Education CEO Predicts Companies Will Soon Recruit High School Leavers Over University Graduates

Having a degree in just one subject may no longer suffice for joining the UAE workforce in the coming years, according to the group chief executive of Gems Education. Dino Varkey told The National that young people entering the workplace will face different demands, making those with diverse skill sets best-positioned to succeed.

Mr Varkey predicted that companies will increasingly recruit pupils directly from high school rather than waiting until university. "The biggest thing that our schools can do is make sure that we're exposing our students to the breadth of curriculum, that we're igniting that curiosity and passion in a particular subject area," Mr Varkey said. He emphasized that combining engineering foundations with humanities majors will be essential for navigating a rapidly changing world.

As part of this shift, Mr Varkey foresees major companies bypassing traditional university recruitment in favor of high school campuses. Ahead of the new school year starting on Monday, he reflected on the resilience of the education sector following disruptions caused by the Iran war. Despite government-mandated remote learning and subsequent phased reopenings with strict safety protocols, Gems Education reported record-breaking academic results and an influx of over 1,500 new teachers, with plans for continued expansion in the region.