Blue-collar and entry-level roles boom in the UAE as white-collar roles see a dip -Innovations Group

Entry-level and blue-collar roles are climbing in the UAE as white-collar hiring slows, Khaleej Times reports, citing industry experts. Last year, white-collar hires dropped 21%, but blue-collar jobs surged by 69%, according to a study by Innovations Group..

Entry-level roles — like sales executives, receptionists, and warehouse associates — are booming as more businesses set up shop in the UAE, said Innovations Group’s Director Nikhil Nanda.

Blue-collar jobs are riding a wave of infrastructure expansion and increased port activity, fueled by geopolitical shifts redirecting cargo traffic through UAE ports. Construction workers, logistics staff, and port managers are in high demand.

White-collar jobs are mainly declining as global firms centralize their support functions away from the UAE, Nanda said. While some experts attribute this to rising automation, others expect the trend to be short-lived.

UAE businesses’ expanding automation process will increase demand for tech-based jobs in 2025 across several sectors such as AI, cybersecurity, and robotics, Aws Ismail, general manager, Marc Ellis, Dubai, said. Meanwhile, healthcare and logistics are expected to witness steady hiring, thanks to government-led diversification and green initiatives.