Bahrain

Launched at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2020, the Bahrain Skills Accelerator was developed in collaboration with the Economic Development Board of Bahrain (EDB) and co-chaired by the Minister of Youth and Sports and the CEOs of leading companies across different sectors.

Through the Accelerator, an in-depth systems analysis was conducted. This included workshops, roundtable discussions, focus groups and steering committee meetings to better understand the existing skills initiatives led by the private and public sectors, pin-point key challenges facing industries in Bahrain, and identify the key reskilling and upskilling priorities for the nation.

To ensure alignment and long term sustainability between the activities of  the Skills Accelerator and the Government’s on-going Skills and Education initiatives, the Bahrain Government subsequently approved and funded the establishment of a new agency, Skills Bahrain - an autonomous industry-led skills agency that bridges the gap between the education and training system and employers so that people are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to be productively employed both now and in the future.

Launched in 2021, Skills Bahrain has focused on the development of national occupational standards across key sectors, the development of a national apprenticeship scheme, and the oversight of Bahrain’s Labour Market Intelligence Unit. 

Skills Bahrain continues to drive the national skills agenda to this day.