Purpose
Qatar is experiencing unprecedented economic growth under a reform-minded leadership in moving the nation towards a highly productive, educated and skilled workforce. The country is enjoying unparalleled levels of prosperity. But the future role of Qatari workers is of central importance now that Qatar's National Vision (QNV) calls for a diversified knowledge-based economy in which the private sector plays a prominent role.
Qatar is pursuing policies which focus on enhancing the education and skill levels of its people to tackle future employment challenges. There is a commitment from the country's leadership to build upon the positive efforts in Qatari employment, education, training, and the more targeted use of overseas workers. It will also mean identifying the strengths and areas of improvement in the education and training and labor policy.
The Social Development Department has developed a programme of activities over the short term which seeks to address selected work force challenges. This phased programme of activities builds upon the Labour Market Strategy I (2005), which provided an overview of the labour market in Qatar. Under LMS Phase II, activities have been identified and together provide a valuable roadmap on the way forward. Let’s examine them in more detail.
I. Managing Economic Growth and Labour Market - In planning for the future, employers will need to invest in new technology and equipment. This will create conditions for high paying employment for Qatari's. This will require higher education and improved skills to take up these new opportunities. Businesses will benefit through increased productivity and higher returns. The project will survey employers on the demand for workers in a more diversified, highly skilled economy. It will also propose options for helping more Qatari's be absorbed in the new economy.
II. Education Performance, Tracer Survey and Students Expectations- The past five years have witnessed significant economic growth in Qatar, in part, due to high oil and gas prices. This has had major effects on the size and make-up of the work force. To fully understand this change the project will undertake a stocktaking of the education sector and labour market. It is also survey the attitudes of students towards education and the expectations of job seekers towards work.
III. Labour Market Information- Relevant, timely and accurate information and data form the basis of any modern labour information system. Labour force information is usually supplied through censuses and surveys collected by various government agencies and the private sector. Labour information needs to be generated quickly to support important requests from government, business and civil society. The project will analyze statistical sources in-depth and provide suggestions for improvement.
IV. Capacity Building for Labour- The Qatar National Vision plans for a future economy underpinned by knowledge based services and activities. This requires a cadre of skilled policy analysts and technical experts who can remain current with the quickly changing economic and labor conditions in Qatar. At present, there is limited technical understanding on how the labor market works and its implications for the economy. The project aims at providing training to key stakeholders to build national capacity and know how for labour analysis and educational planning and employment policies.
Led by the Social Development Department and with the participation of stakeholders both inside and outside government, these efforts will begin to address key challenges facing the work force. Guided by the QNV, they will continue to build on the success made to date in providing Qatari workers with the relevant skills required to compete in a global economy. They will also build on the commitment of Qatar’s leaders for a modern public sector which provides world class services to its citizens in tackling the challenges of tomorrow.
Project Duration
May 2009-March 2010
