More than 1,000 Bahrainis obtain professional certifications through Tamkeen

The scheme is among Tamkeen's many initiatives that seek to develop the skills of Bahrainis and enhance their employability.

Tamkeen's "Professional Certifications Scheme" was officially launched in November 2011 with a total budget of BD9m. The support programme enables Bahraini employees or job seekers to obtain accredited professional certifications which are in demand by the labour market.

The total number of beneficiaries, including those that completed their certification, reached more than 3400, with the 27% of the beneficiaries applying Information Technology certificates, followed by accounting and finance (25%), Health and Saftey (18%) and quality control at 8%.

The certification fees are fully subsidised by Tamkeen. Upon registration, Tamkeen pays 50% of the cost in advance while the beneficiaries pay the other 50%. Upon successful completion of the certification programme, Tamkeen reimburses the beneficiaries the 50% which they paid.

Commenting on the milestone, Tamkeen's Acting Vice-President for Human Capital Development Ms. Amal Al-Kooheji, said: "We are proud of the achievements of the beneficiaries of this leading initiative, which has enabled so many Bahrainis to be the first ones in the Kingdom to obtain certain certifications in their field. The programme embodies the continuous improvement in the quality and services that our programmes offer in terms of their flexibility and comprehensiveness."

Mohamed Abdulla Ali Abdulaziz, a job seeker that recently completed his Commercial Diver Class 3 Certification, commented on his experience with the programme: "I have always wanted to go into the diving sector. When I found out about Tamkeen's professional certification programme, I immediately applied. Tamkeen covered the costs of the training and acquiring the license, while I covered the costs of travel and accommodation during the training, which took place in South Africa. A month earlier I've received my certificate and I'm now in the process of finding the best opportunity within the diving sector."

Mukhtar Ahmed Abdulla, a Civil Engineer at the Ministry of Works, that completed Value Engineering Certification, said: "My work is involved heavily in project management; therefore I have found that getting the proper certification within this field is very important to develop myself further. Through Tamkeen's Professional certification programme, I was able to acquire certificate in Value Engineering certificate from SAVE international, which contributed to enhancing the effectiveness of all projects that are assigned to me."

Almost 40% of them women. The programme currently covers more than 95 certifications in about 20 different disciplines and sectors. These include management, banking, accountancy, logistics, human resources, ICT, retail, and many others.

Interested Bahrainis have the option of benefiting from training services offered by licensed training and educational institutes in Bahrain or abroad. If the desired certificate is not listed among those currently supported by the programme, they also have the option of submitting a request to add to the list.

More than 75,000 Bahraini and Bahraini enterprises have benefited from Tamkeen programmes to date, with the number set to reach 100,000.