Labour Fund's Human Capital Development Programmes part of a larger preparation towards national prosperity

Human Capital Development (HCD)

The function, at the Gulf Hotel's International Convention Centre, saw a gathering of trainees and training providers involved in the ambitious Human Capital Development (HCD) programme of the Labour Fund.

It was more than just a gathering though - by bringing together the trainees undergoing career-enhancing training in areas ranging from nursing to aeronautical engineering to accounting and financing and entrepreneurship, LF Vice-Chairman Mr. Sharif Ahmadi said the LF wanted to give the participants a sense of the breadth and vision of the project.

"We are happy that, in the 12 months since our human capital development programmes were initiated, we have been able to plan and put forward investments worth more than BD28m spread over the next 4 years to train over 11,000 Bahraini nationals, giving these young men and women internationally certified and professional subsidised training opportunities that will change their lives," Ahmadi said in his speech to the guests.

"The portfolio of the Labour Fund's Human Capital Development investments includes numerous projects under Skills Gaps Training, Career Progression Programme, Talent Management Programme, as well as received initiatives based on market needs."

He explained that the Human Capital Development initiatives and projects at the Labour Fund have been designed to address challenges in the labour market and to put forward solutions to improve the employability and career progression of the Bahraini citizen in the private sector with a vision to transform Bahraini citizens into employees of choice.

"We believe that our successful human capital development programmes holds out the promise of social and economic mobility for the individual and taps into the reservoir of raw talent available among Bahrainis," Ahmadi added.

He also pointed out that the human capital development programmes was not a random selection of career paths but a carefully calibrated restructuring of the position of Bahrainis in the workplace of the future, supported by scientific analysis and data about the Bahraini workplace.

"To gather the data needed to map our future strategies, the Labour Fund has commissioned one of the most comprehensive Skills Gaps studies ever undertaken, of the jobs market in the Kingdom of Bahrain," he explained, "We believe that this will identify future areas of growth, employment potential and above all, highlight the Kingdom's economic development in the years ahead so that we can arm our Bahrainis with the qualifications to be ready to seize the opportunity when it knocks on their doors in the future."

Ranging from 6-months to 4-years, the human capital development programmes are designed to develop identified skills in certain sectors so Bahrainis can fill the void in identified professions.

The LF's strategy focuses on capitalising and developing value added Bahraini talents and skills in rewarding careers, supporting the development and attraction of new and emerging industries and enhancing and leveraging existing industries.

The LF also actively supports the private sector and has a lively set of initiatives to help the various private sector organisations with every kind of resource from financing to training, technology upgrades and management and business improvement workshops.

Significantly, Ahmadi pointed out that Bahrain was enjoying a high degree of stability and peace, due to the wise leadership of the Kingdom and he urged HCD participants and employers to work towards translating this golden opportunity into a high level of prosperity for themselves and for the country.

"This gathering is to give us all a sense of shared destiny as we march on to "BECOME" which is the key word at the Labour Fund and an embodiment of the promise that we all carry within us. We are together in this exciting journey into a dynamic and promising future.

The leadership of the Kingdom of Bahrain has provided the Kingdom with the stability and the peace necessary for growth and prosperity. The LF will stand alongside Bahrainis to plan, prepare and execute the blueprint of our joint bright future," he said.