A record three thousand Bahrainis have been engaged to complete a wide range of career-enhancing programmes to set their careers on a higher trajectory, due to an innovative Career Progression Programme (CPP) created by Tamkeen and managed by BDO Jawad Habib Consulting (BDOJHC).
In just one year, Tamkeen and BDOJHC have inspired 3,000 Bahrainis to seek additional knowledge and skills that will improve their productivity and enhance their job satisfaction. The programme participants represent employees from a wide range of private sector companies and different career paths: from HR officers and customer service agents to cashiers, security officers and call centre agents, welders; electricians and even aircraft maintenance technicians. Not only they have desire to improve the required skills in their current jobs but also their needs to improve additional supportive skills such as their English Language, customer service, communication and team work.
"The CPP was designed to reach 6,500 Bahrainis in 3.5 years and so this milestone of 3,000 participants of which 2000 employees either completed or in the process of completing their training programmes. It is a very important milestone to us. In fact, 1000 of these employees have already been entitled for their BD50 pay increase " said Tamkeen's Chief Executive Abdulellah Al Qassimi, "More than the increased productivity that it unlocks, we see it as a confirmation of the desire among Bahrainis to improve their capabilities and equip themselves for the modern workplace and become productive, ambitious employees. We believe that the CPP empowers Bahrainis and will help to change the Bahrain workplace of this decade for the better."
The participation of companies regardless to their size has been encouraging, according to data released by the programme manager at BDOJHC. Large proportions of engagements from small and medium size companies benefiting from the programme were achieved; see Figure 1.
Furthermore, looking at the data with respect to the number of Beneficiaries in
each sector; see Figure 2, most Beneficiaries come from the Retail & Wholesale, Manufacturing, Transport, Storage and Communication Sectors. In addition, having signed with a number of security companies from the Service sector and few others the latter sector is now have a reasonable share in the programme.
A wide spectrum of jobs held by the Beneficiaries was observed on the programme. Most of these included Craftsmen workers; such as: security guards, drivers, helpers, Clerical: such as those with office based jobs including account clerks and secretaries. Also, technical works such as Accountants, HR officers, welders and mechanics; see Figure 3 below.
The Career Progression Programme is designed to improve Bahraini manpower by training employees who are within the basic salary range of BD200- BD400. The project is managed by BDO Jawad Habib Consulting and taps into the facilities and expertise available in Bahrain-based training service providers for the completion of the skills enhancement. The training providers have been pre-qualified to work under the CPP.
"The training programmes proposed for each employee are outcomes to the Training Need Analysis conducted for employees to improve their skills at their current capacities and enhance their productivity" said Mr. Jawad Habib Jawad, the Senior Partner at BDO Jawad Habib Consulting. "This success would have not been achieved without the sincere commitments from the participating companies toward the development of their Bahraini workforce. We are looking forward to deploy more for training as we believe that this programme will make a positive difference in the lives of thousands of Bahrainis by enhancing their careers and income", he added.
- Ends -
Editor's Notes:
For further information on how to benefit from Tamkeen's - Career Progression Programme, the Career Progression Centre (CPC) is located on the 3rd floor at Al Ezz Tower (off-the Exhibition Avenue) and is exclusively dedicated to receive requests, enquiries and support the execution of this programme. Employers in the private sector can participate in the programme by nominating their eligible Bahraini employees. Registration forms are available online at www.bdojawadhabib.com, or for more information and details about the programme, employers who are companies in the private sector can email: info.cpp@bdojawadhabib.com, while Training Service Providers who are interested in supporting this programme may email tsp.cpp@bdojawadhabib.com.
Tamkeen (Labour Fund):
The Kingdom of Bahrain has taken vital steps towards a labour market reform which is an essential stride to ensure that the human capital of the country is developed and that employment is made more attractive for localisation as well as to improve performances of businesses. The strive towards labour reform will impact the Kingdom's economy and raise standards of living as well as pose a challenging commitment to the improvement of services in Bahrain.
Tamkeen (Labour Fund) is a semi-autonomous yet independent authority which formulates strategic and operational plans to use the fees collected by the LMRA in order to enhance the overall prosperity of Bahrain by investing in Bahraini employability, job creation, and social support. Hence, the Tamkeen (Labour Fund)'s main objectives are to support Bahrainis to become the employees of choice, and (ii) to support high quality private sector job creation and helping the private sector cope with the impact of labour market reform.
To achieve these objectives, Tamkeen (Labour Fund) will invest in the cost and quality competitiveness of Bahrainis (e.g., reduction of cost of employing Bahrainis relative to expatriates, investment in skill and work ethic development programs of Bahrainis) and tackle employment barriers on both employer and labour market entrants sides through a combination of financial incentives and capability building, and (ii) in supporting the private sector's adjustment to new cost structures by providing access to capital to alleviate short-term cash constraints or improve productivity, and in know-how initiatives that support improvements in productivity and decreased reliance on expatriate labour through spreading management and technical knowledge.
For further information you may visit: www.tamkeen.bh
© Press Release 2009
