17-06-2021

Under the patronage of His Excellency Mr. Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, Minister of Labour and Social Development, the University College of Bahrain organised the Virtual Career Fair & Forum for the 2020–2021 academic year via video conferencing on Thursday, in the presence of the Chairman of the University’s Board of Trustees, Dr. Shaikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, along with 21 private sector establishments. These entities showcased their vacancies and available jobs, in addition to websites of relevant government agencies displaying available positions and required training opportunities. The event also attracted academics, specialists, and university students. The forum aimed to introduce students to job opportunities in the private sector, review details of the National Employment Program 2.0, and highlight job vacancies and specialised training programmes implemented by the Ministry in cooperation with the Labour Fund (Tamkeen). This initiative helps identify actual labour market needs and determine the qualifications required to keep pace with employment trends. Several specialists participated in the forum to examine job prospects and future opportunities in the labour market. Participating establishments also presented their vacancies to students and graduates through a virtual career fair, allowing them to submit CVs for available positions via the university’s website. In a remote speech launching the forum, His Excellency emphasised the value of introducing university and school students to labour market developments and emerging job opportunities—particularly in areas like communication skills, planning and organisation, human resources and information systems, technology, artificial intelligence, and other specialisations that define the modern labour market. He underlined that the esteemed government, headed by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, may God protect him, has prioritised education and training as the gateway to providing qualified human resources. He also praised the Supreme Council for the Development of Education and Training, chaired by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister, for making significant strides in adopting strategies to improve educational outcomes. He noted one of the most significant upcoming initiatives: enhancing the efficiency of education and training outcomes through launching the Employment Skills Platform, which will offer comprehensive data on key skills and jobs required by the labour market. This platform will serve as a vital information resource for government institutions and employers in shaping future options. As part of its participation in the forum, the Ministry of Labour and Social Development highlighted its programmes designed to enhance employment mechanisms for citizens in the private sector. The Ministry also reviewed the quality of vacancies and its specialised training programmes, all within the framework of preparing and qualifying national cadres for integration into private sector establishments.