In a meeting of the concerned authorities.. Al-Dosari: An action plan for professional guidance and direction

05-02-2020

The National Committee for Vocational Guidance Counselling, chaired by the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Labour and Social Development, Mr Sabah Salem Al Dossari, met today, Monday, at the Ministry’s headquarters to review progress on the National Career Guidance and Counselling Plan for the Kingdom of Bahrain, including the achievements, performance indicators and objectives of the Committee’s working teams. During the meeting, Al Dossari stressed the importance of developing vocational and career guidance in line with the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister, may God protect him, to make Bahraini citizens the first and best choice for employers. This is achieved by optimally qualifying them to enter the labour market, focusing on developing the individual to integrate into society and preparing them for a better life in which they become more productive and appreciative of work, by directing them correctly to labour‑market requirements and needs. He noted that the Committee has established scientific foundations for preparing a national plan for vocational guidance and counselling, which includes a general work programme and executive programmes for each of the relevant official bodies, including the inclusion of vocational guidance and counselling in educational curricula at various educational levels, which will be reflected in linking educational outcomes to the actual needs of the labour market for qualified national competencies and cadres in various productive sectors. Al Dossari pointed out that, through coordination between the relevant ministries and official bodies, efforts will be made to direct trainees and job seekers towards optimal quality training, job types, and the labour market’s needs for appropriate manpower, as well as choosing promising career and vocational specialisations. Young job seekers will also be educated about the skills required for job opportunities and vacancies, and will be involved in training programmes that qualify them to fill the positions offered by private‑sector companies and institutions. The most prominent challenges facing the Committee’s working teams were also reviewed, in addition to discussing the visions and work plans for the coming period. It was emphasised that it is necessary to continue formulating and programming the career guidance and counselling process, starting from the individual’s foundational years in the pre‑school stage, through school in its three stages and beyond, so that this process aims to enable the individual to identify his inclinations, desires and abilities, and then choose the most appropriate profession that is most in harmony with his personality.