The new initiative set to increase employability of Bahrainis

Manama, Bahrain, 26 September 2012

In line with its' mission to position Bahrainis as the employees of choice and facilitating their entry into the job market, Tamkeen signed an agreement with Talent Partners Bahrain (Talent2) - an international HR development and advisory firm  - to set up the necessary system infrastructure for the "employability skills' project.  The new project aims to equip jobseekers (excluding university graduates or higher) with the essential skills required in the workplace, by focusing on the main following competencies: Numeracy Skills, Language and Communication skills, Information and Communication Technology Skills, Working with Others Skills and Problem Solving Skills

The leading initiative is the first of its kind in the Kingdom of Bahrain, which seeks to empower around 5,000 Bahraini jobseekers with foundational skills to enter the job market. This is in addition to providing them with other Tamkeen supported training courses, if required. 

Following this announcement, Talent Partners Bahrain (Talent2) will initially create an optimal infrastructure, creating the basis for the Employability Skills project.  While the infrastructure work is being completed, Tamkeen will invite several training providers to present their capabilities to be able to be a part of the programme.

Tamkeen's Chief Executive Mr. Mahmood Hashem Al-Kooheji commented on this milestone, and said "During our mission to support the growth of the private sector, we have always been committed to filling-in the gaps in the labour market and providing Bahrainis with the necessary skills to increase their employability.  Therefore, we are delighted to implement the Employability Skills training project to allow jobseekers to gain the skills they are lacking and eventually reach their ambition."

Daniel Robinson, General Manager of Middle and East Talent Partners, also commented on the signing: "We are delighted to tie-in with Tamkeen and be part of this leading programme that aims to serve the local community and the national economy.  Following the success of similar initiatives in Australia, New Zealand, UK, Oman and the UAE, we look forward to implementing this project in the Kingdom." 

The Employability Skills project is part of 100 programmes offered by Tamkeen to develop human resources and match skills to labour market requirements and make Bahrainis the employees of choice. To date, around 23,500 Bahrainis have benefited from Tamkeen's Human Development programmes, and more than 2,200 graduates from these programmes have been employed in several sectors.

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About Tamkeen
Tamkeen was established in August 2006 as part of Bahrain's national reform initiatives and Bahrain Economic Vision 2030, and is tasked with developing Bahrain's private sector and positioning it as the key driver of economic development.

Tamkeen's two primary objectives are: Fostering the creation and development of enterprises, and providing support to enhance the productivity and growth of enterprises and individuals.

Under each of those objectives, a number of mechanisms and programmes have been identified based on detailed studies of the labour market to identify current and future gaps for individuals and enterprises and how to address them.

As of December 2011, Tamkeen has injected more than BD 166 million into the private sector through its programmes, targeting over 100,000 Bahrainis and enterprises.

Moreover, it has made in excess of BD 166 million available through its financing portfolio, and enabled over 3,000 Bahrainis find employment, and more than 1,000 enterprises to participate in leading local, regional, and international trade fairs and exhibitions.

In 2012, Tamkeen plans on launching more than 20 new initiatives. These programmes range from training aimed at developing human capital - whether students, employees, employers, or jobseekers - to match acquired skills to market requirements, and other programmes which enhance the productivity of individuals through promoting awareness of successful practices in the private sector. For enterprises, Tamkeen provides professional consulting services to raise their performance, and facilitates access to financing to bridge the enterprise financing gap. In addition, Tamkeen is also leading other national initiatives which enhance investments in Bahrain.

Tamkeen's funds come from 50% of the fees collected from the Labour Market Regulatory Authority.

For more information about our programmes, please call:
Marketing Communication department
Tamkeen
Telephone:  17383326 / 17383327
Fax: 17382352
e-Mail: support@tamkeen.bh
Website : www.tamkeen.bh
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© Press Release 2012