Counselors Rewire Student Futures
A hundred career counsellors are at the centre of a quiet revolution in Bahrain's education system, trained to turn labour data into student guidance in a first-ofits-kind collaboration between Skills Bahrain and the Ministry of Education.
The initiative is designed to rewire the role of school advisors, shifting them from academic helpers to informed navigators of a fast-changing labour market. Armed with data-rich digital tools, these counsellors are now expected to guide students into sectors where real opportunities lie, using a national platform that maps emerging careers, skill requirements, and industry demand.
Tools for the future The workshop, led by Skills Bahrain, an initiative under the Labour Fund (Tamkeen), introduced career advisors to a suite of new tools: Sector Skills Reports, Career Pathways Maps, and the National Occupational Standards. All are aimed at helping students make decisions based not just on interest, but on evolving job market realities.
At the heart of this ecosystem is the Employability Skills Portal, developed in partnership with the Information & eGovernment Authority. The platform gives students, parents, employers, and educators access to live insights on market needs and skills in demand, turning labour data into a shared compass for the next generation.
Classroom to economy
Through a mix of demonstrations and group exercises, the workshop trained counsellors to embed these tools into daily practice, moving beyond generic advice to tailored guidance linked directly to national economic strategies.
Assistant Undersecretary for Education H.E. Ibrahim Ali Al Burshaid praised the partnership, calling it a key move toward transforming how schools prepare students for the workforce. 'This initiative supports our strategic vision to integrate real-world career insight into the educational journey,' he said.
Bridge to Bahrain's next workforce
Skills Bahrain Managing Director Amer Marhoon said the goal is to empower students with 'accurate information that allows them to make informed decisions,' and to ensure counsellors have the intelligence needed to support them.
He noted that the initiative also marks a shift in how education policy is executed, with schools becoming active participants in shaping Bahrain's labour supply in line with national goals.
As Bahrain accelerates its transition to a data-driven, knowledge-based economy, guidance counsellors, once seen as sideline advisors, are being recast as frontline agents in the country's workforce strategy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Tribune
18 hours ago
- Daily Tribune
Mentorship Programme Reaches 150 Milestone
TDT | Manama CFA Society Bahrain has marked a key milestone in Bahrain's financial workforce development, completing its 150th mentor-mentee pairing under the Qodwa mentorship programme. The seventh cycle of the initiative concluded this week, with 18 participants graduating in a ceremony supported by longtime partner Ahli United Bank. Qodwa, launched in 2018, is the flagship mentorship platform of CFA Society Bahrain. It connects experienced investment professionals with aspiring talents eager to grow in areas such as portfolio management, advisory, and financial analysis. Over seven cycles, the programme has engaged 80 mentors and delivered more than 120 hours of structured training. Structured growth for future leaders Speaking at the close of the cycle, Zeeba Askar, President of CFA Society Bahrain, described the programme as a journey of meaningful impact and excellence. She said the Society is committed to evolving Qodwa further to meet emerging market needs and support the Kingdom's broader financial development. 'We take great pride in witnessing the graduation of this seventh cohort,' Askar said. 'This milestone reflects our ongoing effort to build a skilled, confident, and competitive local finance community.' She also credited Ahli United Bank for its continued role in supporting the programme's success. Ahli United Bank reaffirmed its strategic commitment to Qodwa, describing it as a key element of its long-term social responsibility and human capital strategy. The bank said its focus on mentorship reflects its belief in preparing the next generation of national leaders in the financial sector. 'Our partnership with CFA Society Bahrain supports our shared goal of empowering Bahraini youth and building a capable, future-ready workforce,' the bank stated. The Qodwa programme is tailored to develop practical, leadership-focused skills. It includes mentor training to ensure that coaches are equipped with essential guidance techniques and that mentees benefit from both technical and soft-skill development. Each cycle is designed not just to build knowledge but to foster a dynamic exchange between seasoned professionals and emerging talent. Participants are guided through academic, behavioural, and career-oriented challenges with the goal of accelerating professional growth.
Daily Tribune
18 hours ago
- Daily Tribune
France's Soft Power Shines Through Alumni
TDT | Manama The French Embassy in Bahrain turned its spotlight on the human stories behind international diplomacy on Sunday, hosting a celebration of Bahraini professionals who studied in France and went on to shape careers in law, business, and academia. Held at the Residence of France and led by His Excellency Éric Giraud-Telme, the Ambassador of France to the Kingdom of Bahrain, the event marked Alumni Day 2025, part of the global Campus France initiative that unites more than 530,000 alumni from 136 countries. The celebration brought together around 60 guests, including former scholarship recipients, French-language enthusiasts, academic partners, and members of the cultural community. They gathered to reflect on how their experiences in France had shaped both their worldviews and professional journeys. From scholarships to success Among the alumni honoured was Jenan Ghareeb, who teaches at Ahlia University and previously studied French at CAVILAM in Vichy, France. She received a language scholarship from the French Embassy in 2022 and shared how the experience deepened her connection to French culture and education. Also recognised was Dr. Walid El-Masri, who completed his doctorate in law from the University of Strasbourg in 1991 and is now a professor at the University of Bahrain. His story served as a reminder of the long-standing educational bridge between France and Bahrain. Hasan Majed, CEO of Installux Gulf and an engineering graduate of Université de Technologie de Compiègne, also addressed the gathering, reflecting on how studying in France broadened his business and technical horizons. Alumni Day was launched globally in 2023 by Campus France, the national agency that promotes French higher education abroad. The initiative aims to strengthen bonds among international alumni and highlight the cultural and academic impact of studying in France.
Daily Tribune
21 hours ago
- Daily Tribune
Global Prize Targets Energy Wellbeing Crisis
TDT | Manama As mental and physical strain quietly wear down the global energy workforce, a new initiative backed by UAE-based healthcare giants is aiming to shift the spotlight. The $1 million Human Energy Award, jointly launched by Response Plus Holding and Burjeel Holdings, is the first of its kind to reward organisations tackling the growing crisis of employee wellbeing in high-stress energy environments. The inaugural winner will be named at ADIPEC 2025. Positioned as a global benchmark in workforce wellbeing, the award will go to an organisation that can demonstrate the most innovative, impactful and measurable solution to improve health outcomes for energy workers. It is open to companies of all sizes, with a strong emphasis on supporting small and medium-sized enterprises across the global energy supply chain. Focus on prevention The organisers say the award reflects a broader shift in industry thinking, where resilience, mental health and preventive care are now seen as central to operational performance. The initiative is not only about care but about culture, rewarding those who build systems that protect and uplift the people powering the world's energy. Dr Richard Heron, former Vice President of Health and Chief Medical Officer at BP, will chair the independent international jury. He will be joined by renowned wellness coach Vinay Menon and global energy analyst John Defterios, creating a panel that brings together expertise in occupational medicine, elite athletic wellness and macroeconomic insight. Industry leaders speak out Dr Rohil Raghavan, CEO of Response Plus Holding, said the award reflects RPM's commitment to placing people at the centre of progress and aims to set a new benchmark for valuing the workforce. Steven Wines, CEO of Prometheus Medical International and head of the steering committee, said the goal is to encourage innovative solutions that make a tangible difference to people across the energy value chain. Burjeel Holdings CEO John Sunil echoed the sentiment, noting the award underlines the vital role of preventive care and well-being in sustaining a resilient workforce. Aligned with UAE vision Launched in line with the 'We the UAE 2031' agenda and the UAE National Wellbeing Strategy, the award reflects the country's ambition to lead on global standards in health, innovation and human capital development. The Human Energy Award sends a clear message. Wellbeing is no longer a side issue in the energy sector. It is the new frontier of innovation.
