TDT | Manama
Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com
According to Minister of Labor Jameel Humaidan, securing employment for college graduates is the Ministry of Labor’s top priority — and not just any job, but jobs that meet the expertise and demand of college graduates.
For this, the Minister said he is working closely with educational institutions.
Their goal is to ensure that graduates enter the workplace equipped enough to tackle the demands of the workplace head on.
This proactive approach was outlined by the Minister when answering a Parliamentary Question: Regular updates will be sent from the Ministry’s database and the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) to provide insight into the specialisms and occupations that are most in demand.
They are not just identifying a need, but pinpointing areas where Bahraini talent is being underutilized.
Shura Council member Hani Al-Saati asked the Ministry of Education about its strategy to meet the demands of the job market, to which Humaidan revealed extensive collaboration with key stakeholders including the Council for Higher Education, the Ministry of Education, the University of Bahrain and the Bahrain University of Technology.
It is a comprehensive network that ensures graduates are tailored to the changing needs of the workforce.
The ministry said it is actively working to bridge the education-employment gap for new graduates. By working with the Ministry of Education, the ministry is seamlessly integrating new graduates into vocational education and training programs.
The goal is to present students with viable options, equip them with essential skills and open the doors to lucrative career paths. But setting students up for success doesn’t end there.
The ministry also holds career fairs at universities to guide students towards in-demand skills and careers.
The Ministry of Labor is working closely with Saudi educational institutions to ensure that graduates are well prepared to meet job market demands, said Minister of Labor Jameel Humaidan. The ministry is also working with partners to put the finishing touches on a vocational levels and standards project.
This ambitious initiative aims to streamline professional licensing regimes, regulate professional practices, set industry benchmarks and safeguard standards.
But despite this progress, Humaidan said he is keenly aware of the disconnect between academic expertise and industry needs, stressing that the ministry is actively seeking solutions for specialties that have challenges integrating into the workforce.
They are meeting this challenge head on and actively seeking solutions to ensure their specialty is not left behind on the journey towards workforce integration.
