Artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics skills have been identified as key to preparing Bahrainis for manufacturing jobs of the future, according to Bahrain’s labour fund Tamkeen’s Skills Bahrain initiative.
Skills Bahrain, operating under Tamkeen, also spotlighted the evolving landscape of the kingdom’s manufacturing sector at its ‘Future Skills – Manufacturing’ event yesterday at the Gulf Convention Centre.
“Our methodology or approach is based on identifying the skill mismatches that currently exist in any specific sector,” Skills Bahrain managing director Amer Marhoon told the GDN.
Mr Marhoon
“Once we do this, these evidence-based insights are then passed to the key stakeholders and policy makers in order to trigger interventions and initiatives to bridge these gaps.
“There are the soft skills which are transferable in nature, like communication and emotional intelligence skills, which are required with varying levels, depending on the nature of the work.
“Alongside these, we have the technical skills which are job specific – like big data analysis, robotics, AI and digitalisation.
“These are the most important skills that were highlighted in our report.
“Basically we need to prepare our workforce to be future-ready when these trends will impact the jobs in the manufacturing sector.”
The event brought together government officials, industry professionals, and education leaders to explore labour market trends, in-demand skills, and emerging job roles, as presented in the latest Manufacturing Sector Skills Report.
The report, developed by Skills Bahrain, identifies the impact of Industry 4.0 technologies on the sector and outlines the urgent need for upskilling the national workforce.
It also reveals that 54,953 individuals are currently employed in the sector, 24.7 per cent of whom are Bahrainis.
Among the most sought-after roles are research and development scientists, AI and machine learning experts, materials engineers, and digital transformation specialists.
The report also underlines the growing demand for technical skills such as data analysis, machine operation, project management, and big data management.
“Bahrain’s manufacturing sector is a dynamic and diverse component of the national economy, currently undergoing substantial transformation driven by advancements in technology,” Mr Marhoon added.
He added that the event enabled key industry players to align training efforts, workforce planning, and policy direction with the latest developments.
The panel discussion at the event featured Skills Bahrain sector skills development associate director Ahmed Shaheen, Industry and Commerce Ministry industrial development director Khalid Salman Al Qassimi, and Bahrain Polytechnic business development and lifelong learning chief Yusra Al Hussaini.
The panelists discussed how technological changes are reshaping manufacturing, and what skills are needed to remain competitive.
Mr Al Qassimi highlighted the broader national vision guiding the sector, noting that the Industry Sector Strategy 2022–2026 prioritises sustainable growth, job creation for citizens, and enhanced global competitiveness.
“We have placed a strong emphasis on enhancing operational frameworks within industrial projects, encouraging process automation, and aligning with the developments of Industry 4.0,” he explained.
He pointed to initiatives such as the smart factory and green factory programmes, which are designed to promote sustainability and innovation while keeping pace with global technological shifts.
According to Tamkeen, the manufacturing sector remains a key economic priority for Bahrain, and the labour fund continues to invest in initiatives that boost employment opportunities for citizens and support the development of a highly skilled local workforce.
The Manufacturing Sector Skills Report is part of a wider series by Skills Bahrain, intended to provide guidance on skills development, career progression, and job market trends in various sectors.
Other sector reports, which are available on the Skills Bahrain website, cover financial services, accountancy, hospitality and tourism, energy, construction and real estate, transport and logistics, healthcare, FinTech and retail.
These insights will be used to shape future programmes by Tamkeen and its partners, ensuring they reflect real-world needs and foster a resilient, future-ready talent pool.
naman@gdnmedia.bh
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